Free Play in Calloway County
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Senior
Major
Exercise Science
Minor
n/a
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Miranda Terry, PhD
Presentation Format
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Description
In Calloway County and the United States obesity has become an increasing problem among younger children. To combat this epidemic, we need to promote physical activity among young children. Free play is an easy way reduce the sedentary time of children and safe, accessible playgrounds are essential to this. We investigated the access that Calloway County children have to playgrounds in their communities. Twenty-one playgrounds were located within Calloway County that were open and accessible to public use. Seventeen of the twenty-one playgrounds were located in Murray. These results show that children who live within the City of Murray have greater access to playgrounds and increased opportunity to participate in free play compared to children living in surrounding communities, like New Concord and Dexter.
Affiliations
EXS/HEA 356
Free Play in Calloway County
In Calloway County and the United States obesity has become an increasing problem among younger children. To combat this epidemic, we need to promote physical activity among young children. Free play is an easy way reduce the sedentary time of children and safe, accessible playgrounds are essential to this. We investigated the access that Calloway County children have to playgrounds in their communities. Twenty-one playgrounds were located within Calloway County that were open and accessible to public use. Seventeen of the twenty-one playgrounds were located in Murray. These results show that children who live within the City of Murray have greater access to playgrounds and increased opportunity to participate in free play compared to children living in surrounding communities, like New Concord and Dexter.