Environmental Interventions for Healthy Development of
Young Children in the Outdoors
Nilda Cosco
The Natural Learning Initiative, College of Design, North Carolina State University, USA
Abstract
Early childhood environmental interventions are needed to...
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Environmental Interventions for Healthy Development of
Young Children in the Outdoors
Nilda Cosco
The Natural Learning Initiative, College of Design, North Carolina State University, USA
Abstract
Early childhood environmental interventions are needed to counteract the health crisis caused by sedentary lifestyles.
In the UK, 16% of children aged 2 to 15 are obese (Health Survey for England,
2002).
In the US more than 10% 2-5 year olds are overweight (Ogden, et al.
, 2002).
The widespread
perception that young children are innately active and interventions are not needed is a barrier for creating appropriate modifications to children’s routines and environments.
The fact is that young children are only active for short periods each day (Reilly, 2004).
Provision of recreational facilities that
allow children and families to enjoy prolonged and engaging stays outdoors are critical because the
outdoors is a strong correlate of physical activity (Baranowski, et al.
, 2000; Sallis, et al
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