The built environment has a major impact on physical activity and nutrition. A 2005 report by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) found that the lack of opportunities for physical activity in low-income urban neighborhoods is associated with high rates of obesity. The IOM calls for local governments, private developers, and community groups to expand opportunities for physical activity within communities especially for populations at high risk for childhood obesity.

Additionally, communities need increased access to healthy foods and decreased availability of unhealthy foods. While the problem of easy access to unhealthy food is true in all communities regardless of income, it especially affects low-income communities, which have the fewest opportunities available in their neighborhoods to choose healthy foods. Public health research shows that living in a neighborhood with convenient access to grocery stores is associated with a healthier diet.

NPLAN’s Built Environment Learning Community focuses on developing legal and policy tools that increase children’s access to healthy food and physical activity where they live. Currently, the group is considering the following policy topics:

• Creating healthy food zones around schools
• Developing and executing effective joint use agreements
• Promoting healthy mobile vending
• Supporting the development of complete streets in communities
• Encouraging the presence of farmers markets
• Establishing community gardens

An important message about the information contained on our website: NPLAN is a nonprofit organization that provides legal information on matters relating to public health. NPLAN attorneys do not represent individual clients, provide legal advice, or otherwise form attorney-client relationships. For legal advice or representation, readers should consult a lawyer in their state.