Increased Access to Nature Trails, Forest Lands Could Decrease Youth Obesity Rates

http://munews.missouri.edu/news-releases/2014/0911-increased-access-to-nature-trails-forest-lands%E2%80%93not-nature-preserves%E2%80%93could-decrease-youth-obesity-rates-mu-study-finds/

Sept. 11, 2014
Story Contact(s): Nathan Hurst

As youth obesity levels in America remain at record high levels, health professionals and policymakers continue to search for solutions to this national health issue. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri and the University of Minnesota have found that local governments can help reduce youth obesity levels by increasing the amount and type of public lands available for recreation. Sonja Wilhelm Stanis, an associate professor of parks, recreation and tourism in the MU College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, found that counties with more non-motorized nature trails and forest lands have higher levels of youth activity and lower youth obesity

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“More non-motorized nature trails available for use by youth in a particular county lead to an increase in the physical activity rates as well as lower youth obesity rates,” Wilhelm Stanis said.

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