Children in communities with high poverty rates and fewer parks are more likely to suffer from obesity than children in affluent areas, according to a report.

The availability of parks and healthier food options are critical to fighting obesity, said the report presented by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH).

The report, available to Xinhua on Saturday, used information from the 2004-05 school year provided by the California Department of Education to determine childhood obesity rates in 128 cities and communities throughout the county.

"Cities and communities have a vital role in combating childhood obesity," said Jonathan Fielding, director of public health and health officer for the county.

"Those with policies and programs that make physical activity an easy choice and that make healthy food more available have the potential to foster healthier, more active children," he said.

Among the communities with a student study group of 500 or more children, Maywood, which has a much higher poverty rate in the Los Angeles County, had the highest prevalence of childhood obesity, with 37 percent of children in that city considered obese, while Manhattan Beach, an affluent area, was found to have the lowest level of childhood obesity at 4 percent.

According to the report, Maywood has 0.6 acres of park area per 1,000 residents, while Manhattan Beach has 5.7 acres per 1,000 residents.

Fielding said fighting obesity early is critical to ensure the problems do not become more severe.

"Obesity for any age group creates several serious health and economic consequences that continue to multiply. Children who are obese are more likely to suffer from depression, and to develop immediate and long-term health problems such as diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure and bone and joint problems," he said.

"Obese children are much more likely to be obese adults. It is not enough to just encourage people to eat better. We also have to create healthy places where children can play and get necessary exercise, and where parents can purchase healthy food."

The report calls childhood obesity a "continuing epidemic " and states that nationally, obesity rates among children have tripled since the late 1970s, while in Los Angeles County, more than 1 in 5 students in the 5th, 7th, and 9th grades are now obese.

The report lists the following recommendations to help communities fight obesity:

-- Incorporate health into local planning decisions, such as creating walkable or bikeable communities.

-- Increase access to parks and green spaces, such as creating rooftop parks.

-- Improve public access and safety in recreation areas.

-- Develop collaborations with schools, such as enabling community members to use a jogging track after school hours.

-- Establish safe routes to schools so that children and adults can walk instead of driving or taking the bus.

-- Increase the availability of healthy foods and promote healthy eating in public facilities, such as adding fruits and vegetables to vending machines.

-- Publicly recognize civic involvement and leadership by people who offer or support healthy food and exercise options.