The reasons behind the higher obesity rates among Latino kids compared to non-Latino children are more than just food options. Based on the results of a recent research, it appears the playground - or the lack of it - also play a role.

"According to findings released on Tuesday, children from communities with fewer public, recreational facilities tend to be overweight," NBC News reported. "About 81 percent of primarily Latino neighborhoods do not have access to a designated space for exercise and physical activity, whereas only 38 percent of primarily non-Latino white neighborhoods have the same problem."

The research, organized by Salud America!, also detailed that 4-in-10 Latino youngsters from age 2 to 19 are actually overweight or even obese. Only 29% of white children were over the normal range of their weight.

"In a national survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, fewer Latinos (70%) than white (82.5%) respondents described their neighborhoods as having a safe place for children to play," according to Latina. "A separate study conducted in Southern California found that children of racial/ethnic minorities living in poverty have less access to parks and physical activity sites than children living in more advantaged neighborhoods."

The organization has since pinned the blame on limited play spaces.

"Latino kids don't get enough exercise, so it's critical to make parks, school playgrounds and other recreational sites safer and more accessible to help Latino kids be active and fight obesity," explained Salud America! director Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, as per NBC News. "It will take leaders at all levels working together to truly create neighborhoods where Latino families can easily, safely bike, walk, and much more."

Right now, some cities in California, where up to 38 percent of the population is Latino, have drawn up agreements that allow locals to access public property or even the school itself to engage in physical activities, especially structured ones, according to Yahoo! News.

In connection with this, 89.9 KPCC reported in September last year that the overall obesity rates among kids in Southern California, including Latino children, have gone down 8 percent.

Further, programs that focus on adults have been regarded by researchers as still helpful in fighting childhood obesity, "because parents bring their children with them, the entire family engages in physical activity," according to Yahoo! News.

Although some areas may find it difficult to fund such an effort, the online news portal said, the costs of having a high percentage of children within the range of obesity may probably make the suggested directives more feasible options.

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