"Vertical-living kids" rise in Australia: study

The study found children living in tower blocks had little interaction with the outside world, and this was a problem that had risen dramatically over the past 30 years.

University of Melbourne Associate Professor Carolyn Whitzman warned this had ramifications for a child's social development as well as their overall health.

"Being able to go to school, friend's houses, parks and shops on their own is vital to kids' physical and emotional development, their sense of citizenship and of being a valued part of a community," Whitzman said.

"The more children establish a pattern of being active to get around when they are young, the more chance they will set up healthy patterns for life."

Whitzman's research took in 40 children aged 8-12, and their families, who lived in housing tower blocks across Melbourne; Kazinform cites Xinhua. See www.news.xinhuanet.com for full version.