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Health Consequences of Suburban Layout and Design in Children, Adolescents and Teenagers

Statement of Significance:

Over the past eight decades, there has been ample debate and research centered around urban and suburban lifestyles. The classic theory about urban living suggests that living in urbanized areas results in “social isolation, social disorganization, and psychological problems” while living in suburban areas is “much more conducive to happiness because suburban areas have a lower population density, lower crime, and a more stable population” (Adams, 353). Once the idea of suburban living is scrutinized, it is apparent that suburban sprawl has created a population of social isolation, social disorganization, and can contribute to psychological and other health problems in children, adolescents and teenagers. The residential environment, including where the community is located and what is located in and around the community, significantly impacts children, adolescents and teens growing and maturing in these settings. The characteristics and location of the neighborhood and community affects “where they go to school, what they do when they are not in school, how they move around, and the extent to which they engage with their family, friends, community and wider society” (Williams, 80). Consequences suburban neighborhoods have on the social and physical state of children, adolescents and teens will be discussed and improvements and healthy alternatives will be explored.

Strategy of Discussion:

In an attempt to better understand the suburban lifestyle of current society, it is important to first acknowledge and understand how suburban neighborhoods first began and how they slowly transitioned into the suburbia of today. The article “Up From Potato Fields” by Joseph F. Kelly clearly and concisely explains the beginning of suburban sprawl in the 1950’s and how mass production was necessary to keep up with the post war demand on single family homes. The article “6,000 Years of Housing” by Norbert Schoenauer explores the history of suburban housing and sprawl from 1950-2000 stating it is the decline of American cities. Moving away from the city not only created empty buildings within the city, but also increased the population’s reliance on vehicles. Literature review and articles containing current studies and their findings on the effects of suburban living on children, adolescents teens will be utilized. The article ” Kids’ Lives in Adult Space and Time: How Home, Community, School and Adult Work Affect Opportunity for Teenagers in Suburban Australia” contains an overall look at the effects of suburban living. The article ”Differing Levels of Social Capital and Mental Health in Suburban Communities in Australia: Did Social Planning Contribute to the Difference?” completed a study centering around the social and mental effects suburban housing can have on residents. Finally, the articles “Out and About: Association of the Built Environment with Physical Activity Behaviors of Adolescent Females” and “A Study of Community Design, Greenness, and Physical Activity in Children Using Satellite, GPS and Accelerometer Data” designed studies that explore the physical activity of children in and around suburban neighborhoods.

Image Source: "Geovisualization of Children’s Physical Activity Level." Diagram. Health and Place Journal 26 March 2012.

(*home points shifted for confidentiality).

Image Source: "Factors Leading to Teen Opportunity and Independence in Suburban Neighborhoods." Diagram. Health Sociology Review 27 March 2012.

Adams, Richard E., ”Is Happiness a Home in the Suburbs?: The Influence of Urban Versus Suburban Neighborhoods on Psychological Health,” Journal of Community Psychology 20, no. 1 (1992): 353-372.

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Almanza, Estela, Michael Jerrett, Genevieve Dunton, Edmund Seto, and Mary Ann Pentz, “A Study of Community Design, Greenness, and Physical Activity in Children Using Satellite, GPS and Accelerometer Data,” Health and Place 18, no. 1 (2012): 46-54.

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Baum, Fran, Christine Putland, Colin MacDougall, and Anna Ziersch. “Differing Levels of Social Capital and Mental Health in Suburban Communities in Australia: Did Social Planning Contribute to the Difference?” Urban Policy and Research 29, no. 1 (2011): 37-57.

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Dunton, Genevieve F., Stephen S. Intille, Jennifer Wolch, and Mary Ann Pentz, “Investigating the Impact of a Smart Growth Community on the Contexts of Children’s Physical Activity Using Ecological Momentary Assessment,” Health and Place 18, no. 1 (2012): 76-84.

Giles-Corti, Billie and Carolyn Whitzman, ”Active Living Research: Partnership that Counts,” Health and Place 18, no. 1 (2012): 118-120.

Kelly, Joseph F., “Up From Potato Fields,” Time Magazine 56, no. 1 (1950): 69-75.

Rodriguez, Daniel A., Gi-Hyoug Cho, Kelly R. Evenson, Terry L. Conway, Deborah Cohen, Bonnie Ghosh-Dastidar, Julie L. Pickrel, Sara Veblen-Mortenson, and Leslie A. Lytle. “Out and About: Association of the Built Environment with Physical Activity Behaviors of Adolescent Females,” Health and Place 18, no. 1 (2012): 55-62.

Schoenauer, Norbert, 6,000 Years of Housing: Revised and Expanded Edition. W.W. Norton & Company, Inc. New York (2000).

Williams, Philippa, Barbara Pocock, and Kennedy Bridge. “Kids’ Lives in Adult Space and Time: How Home, Community, School and Adult Work Affect Opportunity for Teenagers in Suburban Australia,” Health Sociology Review 18, no. 1 (2009): 79-93.