YARDS OF PLAY

THE size of a yard does not have a major impact on how active Aussie kids are, Melbourne researchers say.

There was no association between the yard space, “greenness” and activity, the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and University of Melbourne study found.

“This suggests that child physical activity may not suffer as we densify our cities and reduce the size of yards,” researcher Jessica Oakley said.

The study tracked more than 5200 children in Melbourne over eight days.

But promoting physical activity was still a health priority, they found.