Play Across Boston

Physical activity levels of children and youth reflect personal, household,
cultural, community and environmental factors. In many studies, racial,
ethnic, gender and age-related disparities in physical activity are
substantial. Girls and non-white youth participate in less physical activity
than boys and whites, and participation declines with age throughout
the teen years. Increasing physical activity levels is an important
national health goal at this time because an active lifestyle reduces
risks for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and other conditions.

While a number of studies have identified individual and family
characteristics associated with increased physical activity, studies of community and environmental factors are limited. The Harvard Prevention Research Center, in collaboration with Northeastern University's Center
for the Study of Sport in Society (CSSS), received funding to address this knowledge gap in Boston.

The project, which works with branches of city government as well as community organizations, created a baseline assessment and prototype monitoring system documenting resources that offer year-round
after-school sports and physical activity for youth in Boston. Our findings
will help efforts aimed at reducing disparities in physical activity among children and youth. Our major scientific goal is to understand how
community resources and individual and household characteristics
combine to influence levels of physical activity.

Specific Aims

1. Create a computerized map of recreational resources and programs throughout Boston
2. Analyze participation in programs by gender, race/ethnicity, age,
   disability and neighborhood
3. Identify characteristics of non-participants and barriers they perceive
   to participation
4. Identify potential solutions for gaps in resources, programs, and barriers to participation

To see the executive summary of the report (4.35MB), please click here.
To download the complete report (PDF file, 6.53 MB), please click here.

Principal Investigator: Steven Gortmaker, PhD
Funder: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Funding Dates: October 1, 1999 - September 30, 2002;
October 1, 2004 - September 30, 2009