Science Article Summary 8

Hendrick, B. High-traffic areas may lead to kids' obesity. WebMD. 5 Feb. 2010.

The United States is always increasing the size of its obesity population. Researchers are now saying that there is a direct correlation with weight gain to traffic. High-traffic cities are showing signs of increased weight gain in children.

This is happening because when kids live in high-traffic areas, their parents are scared to let their children go outside and play around all of the traffic and potential dangers. Instead, the kids stay inside and play video games or watch tv. When kids are no longer getting enough exercise, they are slowly becoming obese.

Jerrett conducted a study of almost 3,000 children between the ages of 9 and 10 living in Los Angeles. The study lasted eight years and the children's height and weight were evaluated to determine their BMI. Their BMI increased as they got older, but the kids who lived very close to traffic saw a significant increase in BMI.

Jerrett concludes that the children in high traffic areas are cannot walk, bike, or play outside on a regular basis because of the dangers associated with traffic. He also suggests that the increase in obesity can be from the air pollution. When there is more traffic, there is more air pollution. The pollution can cause asthma and lung infections, which will decrease the amount of exercise children can do. This problem can be reduced if city planners thought about creative ways to decrease traffic in neighborhoods where kids should feel safe.