A new study finds green space helps reduce screen time in children, but access to these spaces is much lower in minority neighborhoods.
Kids who have playgrounds, parks and other green spaces to play in spend less time glued to their gadgets, according to a recent research.
Researchers say about two-thirds of children 6 to 17 years old exceed the recommended limit of two hours of screen time per day.
Many communities have created programs – like no-cost sports clubs – to help reduce that time and combat childhood obesity…but do they work?
The researchers analyzed screen-use data from nearly 4,600 children in 130 communities across the U.S. and compared it to program participation and green space availability.
They found neighborhood green spaces help draw children out of the house and into other activities but they’re much less common in areas with higher Hispanic and Black populations.
The results showed children in neighborhoods composed of more than 30% Black residents were more likely to exceed daily screen time limits.
“These unfair differences in green space access might explain why community programs and policies are less effective in reducing screen time among different racial groups,” says Ian-Marshall Lang, lead author.
He says these findings support initiatives like the 10-Minute Walk Program that calls on city mayors to make sure everyone has a quality park within a 10-minute walk of their home.
Source: Health and Space
Author Affiliations: University of Michigan
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