This research synthesis examines studies indicating that racial and ethnic minorities and lower-income people live in communities that do not provide as many built and social environmental supports for physical activity and are not as supportive of physical activity.
It also summarizes research on racial, ethnic and economic disparities in obesity and physical activity rates among children. The synthesis also highlights policy recommendations for decision-makers who can support physical activity among people in lower-income communities and communities of color. Some key research findings are that racial and ethnic minority and lower-income people:
- are more likely to live in neighborhoods with fewer and lower-quality sidewalks, and fewer
- aesthetic amenities like scenery that make walking safer, easier and more appealing;
- tend to live in neighborhoods with fewer parks and other recreation resources; and
- experience more danger from crime and traffic than others do, and face more barriers from neighborhood physical and social disorder.
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