Despite national efforts to improve youth fitness, Nevada consistently ranks among the lowest states for physical activity among children. In stark contrast, states like Alaska lead in keeping kids active. But what is it that makes Nevada struggle while Alaska excels? Factors like environment, infrastructure, funding, and community priorities all play a role. Here’s a deeper look at why Nevada falls short and what lessons it could learn from Alaska’s approach.
1. Environmental and Climate Challenges
Nevada’s desert climate, particularly in cities like
Las Vegas, creates significant challenges for outdoor physical activity. The
region’s extreme heat, which can exceed 100°F in summer, discourages outdoor
play for long stretches of the year. Unlike colder states, where kids may
bundle up to play outside, the intensity of Nevada’s heat makes it unsafe for
children to exercise outdoors, especially during the hottest hours of the day.
In a previous post, Weather, Geography, and Community:
What Makes Youth Fitness Thrive Across States?, we explored how climate plays a
huge role in youth fitness levels. Whether it’s the cold of Alaska or the heat
of Nevada, environmental conditions shape how communities engage with the
outdoors. In Alaska, families are often equipped for cold-weather activities,
whereas in Nevada, the heat makes it difficult for families to comfortably and
safely encourage their children to be active outdoors.
2. Urbanization and Built Environment
Nevada’s urbanized landscape further complicates
physical activity options for youth. Las Vegas and Reno, the state’s largest
urban centers, are highly developed with limited walkable neighborhoods, shaded
parks, or easily accessible outdoor play areas. The sprawling urban design and
reliance on cars make it harder for children to reach safe places for outdoor
activity on their own. This can discourage walking, biking, and outdoor play
that naturally help children stay active.
By contrast, many Alaskan communities are built to
provide safe access to nature, and outdoor activities are part of daily life.
Alaska’s cities prioritize proximity to open spaces and trails, making it
easier for children to engage in outdoor play. If Nevada invested in
accessible, well-maintained green spaces in urban areas, it could create
environments that better support physical activity for children.
3. School and Community Support for Physical Activity
Schools and communities play a crucial role in shaping
kids’ physical activity habits. However, Nevada’s schools and local governments
may not prioritize physical education (PE) and activity-focused programs at the
same level as other states. Budget constraints in Nevada often result in
limited funding for PE classes, sports teams, and extracurricular activities.
This lack of resources reduces the structured physical activity that many kids
rely on, especially in urban areas where safe, outdoor options are scarce.
In Alaska, physical activity is seen as essential to
the well-being of students, and the state has put substantial policies and
programs in place to support youth fitness. From dedicated funding for outdoor
activities to programs designed to connect kids with nature, Alaska prioritizes
physical health as part of its educational and community efforts. In fact,
Nevada could take inspiration from Alaska’s approach by prioritizing funding
for youth sports and PE programs, building better outdoor facilities, and
partnering with local organizations to encourage physical activity.
4. Economic and Social Factors
Nevada’s economy, largely centered on tourism and the
hospitality industry, creates unique challenges for families. Many parents work
long, nontraditional hours, limiting their time to engage in physical
activities with their children or support after-school sports. In addition, the
economic disparity in Nevada means that many families may not have access to
recreational facilities, organized sports, or extracurricular activities, which
often come with high costs.
In contrast, Alaska’s programs and policies are more
focused on accessibility. For example, many Alaskan communities offer
affordable or subsidized sports leagues and outdoor programs that encourage
physical activity for all income levels. These community programs make it
easier for families to keep their children active, regardless of economic
constraints. Nevada could benefit by expanding community-driven initiatives,
offering more affordable programs, and reducing barriers to participation in
youth sports and outdoor activities.
5. Cultural and Lifestyle Influences
Nevada’s culture is shaped by an entertainment-focused
economy, which doesn’t always prioritize active lifestyles. Las Vegas, known as
an entertainment capital, offers a variety of indoor activities, from gaming to
theaters, that keep families inside rather than encouraging outdoor play. This
lifestyle pattern affects children, too, as they often engage in screen time
rather than physical activity. With easy access to indoor, sedentary
entertainment, the default activities for Nevada’s youth lean toward being
passive rather than active.
Alaska, on the other hand, has a deeply ingrained
outdoor culture that encourages families to spend time in nature regardless of
the season. Outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and fishing are cultural
norms in Alaska, and families are more likely to see physical activity as an
integral part of life. By fostering a culture that values physical wellness and
outdoor exploration, Nevada could help shift the lifestyle choices of its
residents towards more active routines.
What Nevada
Can Learn from Alaska
Nevada’s challenges with youth physical activity are
complex, but looking at Alaska’s successful policies and programs offers some
clear strategies for improvement. Nevada could prioritize developing shaded,
safe, and accessible parks in urban areas, as well as subsidizing sports
programs and physical activities to make them more accessible to all families.
By allocating resources to improve PE programs in schools, investing in
community fitness facilities, and promoting active, outdoor lifestyles, Nevada
can encourage more of its youth to stay active.
Creating change in a state with unique climate and
cultural barriers isn’t easy, but by investing in physical activity
infrastructure, Nevada can set the stage for healthier, more active generations
to come.
l activity among children. In stark contrast, states like Alaska lead in keeping kids active. But what is it that makes Nevada struggle while Alaska excels? Factors like environment, infrastructure, funding, and community priorities all play a role. Here’s a deeper look at why Nevada falls short and what lessons it could learn from Alaska’s approach.
1. Environmental and Climate Challenges
Nevada’s desert climate, particularly in cities like
Las Vegas, creates significant challenges for outdoor physical activity. The
region’s extreme heat, which can exceed 100°F in summer, discourages outdoor
play for long stretches of the year. Unlike colder states, where kids may
bundle up to play outside, the intensity of Nevada’s heat makes it unsafe for
children to exercise outdoors, especially during the hottest hours of the day.
In a previous post, Weather, Geography, and Community:
What Makes Youth Fitness Thrive Across States?, we explored how climate plays a
huge role in youth fitness levels. Whether it’s the cold of Alaska or the heat
of Nevada, environmental conditions shape how communities engage with the
outdoors. In Alaska, families are often equipped for cold-weather activities,
whereas in Nevada, the heat makes it difficult for families to comfortably and
safely encourage their children to be active outdoors.
2. Urbanization and Built Environment
Nevada’s urbanized landscape further complicates
physical activity options for youth. Las Vegas and Reno, the state’s largest
urban centers, are highly developed with limited walkable neighborhoods, shaded
parks, or easily accessible outdoor play areas. The sprawling urban design and
reliance on cars make it harder for children to reach safe places for outdoor
activity on their own. This can discourage walking, biking, and outdoor play
that naturally help children stay active.
By contrast, many Alaskan communities are built to
provide safe access to nature, and outdoor activities are part of daily life.
Alaska’s cities prioritize proximity to open spaces and trails, making it
easier for children to engage in outdoor play. If Nevada invested in
accessible, well-maintained green spaces in urban areas, it could create
environments that better support physical activity for children.
3. School and Community Support for Physical Activity
Schools and communities play a crucial role in shaping
kids’ physical activity habits. However, Nevada’s schools and local governments
may not prioritize physical education (PE) and activity-focused programs at the
same level as other states. Budget constraints in Nevada often result in
limited funding for PE classes, sports teams, and extracurricular activities.
This lack of resources reduces the structured physical activity that many kids
rely on, especially in urban areas where safe, outdoor options are scarce.
In Alaska, physical activity is seen as essential to
the well-being of students, and the state has put substantial policies and
programs in place to support youth fitness. From dedicated funding for outdoor
activities to programs designed to connect kids with nature, Alaska prioritizes
physical health as part of its educational and community efforts. In fact,
Nevada could take inspiration from Alaska’s approach by prioritizing funding
for youth sports and PE programs, building better outdoor facilities, and
partnering with local organizations to encourage physical activity.
4. Economic and Social Factors
Nevada’s economy, largely centered on tourism and the
hospitality industry, creates unique challenges for families. Many parents work
long, nontraditional hours, limiting their time to engage in physical
activities with their children or support after-school sports. In addition, the
economic disparity in Nevada means that many families may not have access to
recreational facilities, organized sports, or extracurricular activities, which
often come with high costs.
In contrast, Alaska’s programs and policies are more
focused on accessibility. For example, many Alaskan communities offer
affordable or subsidized sports leagues and outdoor programs that encourage
physical activity for all income levels. These community programs make it
easier for families to keep their children active, regardless of economic
constraints. Nevada could benefit by expanding community-driven initiatives,
offering more affordable programs, and reducing barriers to participation in
youth sports and outdoor activities.
5. Cultural and Lifestyle Influences
Nevada’s culture is shaped by an entertainment-focused
economy, which doesn’t always prioritize active lifestyles. Las Vegas, known as
an entertainment capital, offers a variety of indoor activities, from gaming to
theaters, that keep families inside rather than encouraging outdoor play. This
lifestyle pattern affects children, too, as they often engage in screen time
rather than physical activity. With easy access to indoor, sedentary
entertainment, the default activities for Nevada’s youth lean toward being
passive rather than active.
Alaska, on the other hand, has a deeply ingrained
outdoor culture that encourages families to spend time in nature regardless of
the season. Outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, and fishing are cultural
norms in Alaska, and families are more likely to see physical activity as an
integral part of life. By fostering a culture that values physical wellness and
outdoor exploration, Nevada could help shift the lifestyle choices of its
residents towards more active routines.
What Nevada
Can Learn from Alaska
Nevada’s challenges with youth physical activity are
complex, but looking at Alaska’s successful policies and programs offers some
clear strategies for improvement. Nevada could prioritize developing shaded,
safe, and accessible parks in urban areas, as well as subsidizing sports
programs and physical activities to make them more accessible to all families.
By allocating resources to improve PE programs in schools, investing in
community fitness facilities, and promoting active, outdoor lifestyles, Nevada
can encourage more of its youth to stay active.
Creating change in a state with unique climate and
cultural barriers isn’t easy, but by investing in physical activity
infrastructure, Nevada can set the stage for healthier, more active generations
to come.
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