Our recent paper in published in the journal Preventive Medicine looks at obesity among children in a means-tested preschool program in New York City.  Among the 11,562 children from low income families enrolled the program in 2004, 16% were overweight and 24% were obese.  Children living in zip codes with higher homicide rates were significantly more likely to be obese, while the density of street trees in the zip of residence was significantly inversely associated with the likelihood of the child being obese. Access to park space and neighborhood walkability in the zip code were not associated with obesity among these children.

This work was conducted in collaboration with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Administration for Children’s Services.