eMJA: In other journals - 7 October 2002

In Other Journals image Childhood obesity has been back in the news again in Australia, with the advertisers of fattening foods taking some of the blame. A survey of households in the United States looked at another side of the equation: lack of exercise. Of 611 households, only 19% reported children walking and 6% cycling to school at least once a week during the preceding month. Barriers to such activity included distance (55%), traffic danger (40%), weather (24%) and dangers from crime (18%). The report concluded that care with siting new schools and road safety programs could address the first two of these issues.