Neighborhood resources may relate to children's obesity treatment outcomes
A small body of longitudinal research links parks and recreational facilities with some better outcomes, but the overall evidence was inconsistent.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Children enrolled in obesity management programs sometimes had better outcomes when their neighborhoods offered more opportunities for physical activity. More parks were associated with greater BMI reductions in some studies, and recreational facilities with increased measured activity. Overall findings were inconsistent, so the review cannot show that adding neighborhood resources would improve treatment results.
Neighborhood comparisons were observational, and the abstract gives no pooled effect sizes or precise follow-up lengths. The inconsistent findings leave uncertainty about which local features matter most.
What researchers found
Body mass index after intervention
More neighborhood parks were associated with larger BMI reductions in 2 studies. Comparisons were across park availability; exact follow-up lengths were not reported.
Who this evidence concerns
The included children already had overweight or obesity and were receiving multicomponent management programs. The review therefore concerns neighborhood links with treatment outcomes, rather than establishing how neighborhoods affect weight in all children.
The outcomes differed
Supermarket availability had inconsistent associations with fruit and vegetable intake. More recreational facilities were linked to increased objectively measured activity, but no association was reported with screen time based on participants' own reports.
The original publication
Neighborhood Environments and Changes in Obesity and in Lifestyle Behaviors Among Children Enrolled in Obesity Management Interventions: A Systematic Review.
Tang Y, Tock WL, Calleja S et al.
Obes Rev · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41126490
- Record checked
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