Built Environments and Child Health : A Policy Review

Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century and is affected not only by individual choice but also by societal and environmental influences. Childhood obesity is higher in children living in regional and remote compared with major cities, in one-parent families and for those with a disability. The main modifiable risk factors for childhood obesity are unhealthy eating and low levels of physical activity. The built environment is a modifiable risk factor for child obesity and varies based on individual and neighbourhood disadvantage.A policy analysis was conducted to investigate how Western Australian and national policies (n=41) address the health of children through the built environment’s influence on obesity and the modifiable risk factors for obesity, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and diet. Most referred to the role of the built environment in supporting physical activity in relation to street connectivity, parks, open spaces and recreation facilities, and safety. Seven included specific targets, five included an implementation or evaluation plan and only five recognised the specific needs of children.Recommendations for future policy development include the need for the voices of children to be incorporated, the inclusion of child-specific built environment features, and multi-departmental policies with transparent implementation and evaluation plans