The Potential of Safe, Secure and Accessible Playgrounds to Increase Children’s Physical Activity was published by Active Living Reseach (a RWJF program) in February 2011. The report summarizes research on the importance of playgrounds for children’s physical activity. Some highlights of this report are:

Abstract: Over the past several decades, obesity has grown into a major global epidemic. In the United States, more than two-thirds of adults are now overweight and one-third is obese. In this article, we provide an overview of the state of research on the likely economic impact of the US obesity epidemic at the national level. 

This paper summarizes information on shorter trips, based on 2009 National Household Travel Survey data. 

In September 2009, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released Local Government Actions to Prevent Childhood Obesity, a report that identifies specific actions that local governments can take to increase physical activity and improve healthy eating in communities. 

The publication is described as providing research about the current state of physical activity in the nation and highlights organization practices and public policies to improve physical activity among children and youth. 

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2010 published a set of recommendations for improving health through transportation policy. 

This report explores how dependence on automobiles and roadways has profound negative impacts on human health. 

Abstract: The commentary suggests two primary policy issues that must be addressed nationally. 

The Safe States Alliance is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to serve as the national voice in support of state and local injury and violence prevention professionals engaged in building a safer, healthier America. 

The publication makes a compelling case for embedding safety strategies into community efforts to promote healthy eating and physical activity. 

The report, Obesity and its Relation to Mortality and Morbidity Costs, prepared by Donald Behan and Samuel Cox of the Society of Actuaries, is a review of almost 500 research articles on obesity and its relation to mortality and morbidity, focusing primarily on papers published from January 1980 to June 2009. 

The purpose of this Shape of the Nation Report is to provide current information about the status of physical education in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia in the following areas:

School environments that support active commuting best encourage young people’s participation in different types of physical activities. 

Key takeaway:

• The inclusion of equity as a stated goal is emerging in pedestrian and bicycle plans across the country. This report recommends that plans include more details about the process of defining equity and improving data for equity-related performance measures. 

Key takeaway:

• The prevalence of biking and walking for transportation varies by different national datasets.

The America Needs Complete Streets report written by Dan Burden and Todd Litman was published in the April 2011 edition of ITE Journal. 

In this study, a school choice policy that decreased the overall distance from students’ residences to school was not associated with significant changes in active commuting. Even though commute distance is often associated with active travel to school, this study shows that other policies and education/engagement programs might 

In April 2011, the National Afterschool Association released physical activity standards for afterschool programs and summer camps, but many of the existing standards and policies lack clearly defined benchmarks. 

This guide offers practical tools for adult facilitators to support middle school students in the promotion of safe walking, bicycling, and public transit use to and from school. Student-led campaigns can generate enthusiasm and improve the social conditions for a Safe Routes to School program!

KEY TAKEAWAY:

Regular participation in physical activity and higher levels of physical fitness have been linked to improved academic performance and brain function, including attention and memory.