One third of Americans report their children lack access to nearby, safe playgrounds, a serious risk factor for childhood obesity, according to a Harris Interactive® survey.

Also, the survey found that nearly half of low-income households have no access to nearby, safe playgrounds.

The survey was conducted in September 2002 on behalf of KaBOOM!, a national non-profit organization that empowers communities to build safe playgrounds for children, and funded by The Home Depot, a partner of KaBOOM! Playgrounds.

A sample of 1,004 Americans was asked to rate the accessibility of playgrounds for neighborhood children. Of those surveyed, 34 percent reported that children in their neighborhoods are growing up without access to playgrounds.

The survey found that nearly half of low-income households ($15,000 to $25,000) said neighborhood children lack access to nearby, safe playgrounds, in contrast to 28 percent of households with incomes over $50,000 or more.

Other sources: KaBOOM