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Opportunities for children to get safe and healthy physical activity have largely been engineered out of our communities. Multi-lane roads have replaced sidewalks and bike paths and play spaces are far away or unsafe.
The result is that children's obesity and disease rates are rising. Designing communities so that children have ample opportunity for physical activity is vital to improving children's long-term health.
Kids need regular physical activity to stay physically fit and healthy. Obesity, asthma, diabetes, arthritis, depression, heart disease and high blood pressure are a few of the chronic diseases associated with a lack of physical activity.
The built environment plays a key role in getting kids active.
Places to Play
Kids need safe, clean places to play. Encourage local leaders to continue building and maintaining playgrounds, parks and community centers.
Information on parks within Southern Nevada can be found at the following websites:
Walking or biking to school is a great form of exercise. Make sure your community incorporates sidewalks and bike paths, so kids have safe routes to travel.
For more information on physical activity visit the Physical Activity webpage and virtually trek your way around Nevada by joining the Walk Around Nevada program.
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