The objective of this study was to identify environmental factors that may influence Body Mass Index (BMI) scores of African American and Hispanic/Latino children ages 1 to 11. A secondary data analysis was performed using the data sample from The California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). The CHIS collected data from children from Southern California. For the purpose of this study, there were a total of 895 children all of which were identified as African American or Hispanic/Latino. This study measured variables such as: ethnicity, age, poverty, access to parks or playgrounds and various variables regarding neighborhood safety. This study found that in fact there was a significant relationship between increased BMI scores and poverty level and neighborhood safety. This study concluded that there are external environmental factors which influence BMI scores in children specifically in areas where with higher rates of poverty and in neighborhoods which parents perceive as unsafe.