This review by JAMES F. SALLIS and KAREN GLANZ found that numerous cross-sectional studies have consistently demonstrated that some attributes of built and food environments are associated with physical activity, healthful eating, and obesity. Residents of walkable neighborhoods who have good access to recreation facilities are more likely to be physically active and less likely to be overweight or obese. Residents of communities with ready access to healthy foods also tend to have more healthful diets. Disparities in environments and policies that disadvantage low-income communities and racial minorities have been documented as well.
Archive for category Environment
This study published in December 2008 identified two distinct aspects of policies: ‘influential factors’ which are factors that might impact policies related to Active transportation to and from school and ‘policy actions’ which are policies and initiatives that directly affected their success. Influential factors included sidewalks, crosswalks/crossing guards, funding, personal safety concerns, advocacy group involvement and others. Policy actions included policies on school speed zone, drop-off, no-transport zones, school siting, school start/dismissal time and school choice.
This report provides guidance to Federal land managers on how to promote bicycling. Bicycling facilities are important transportation and recreation links to connect gateway communities, visitor centers, campgrounds, trailheads, and other attractions on Federal lands. This report presents benefits of bicycling, successful bicycling programs, policies that support bicycling, issues and challenges faced by land managers, and useful resources available to help meet these challenges. Bicycle transportation networks have significant positive impacts for the environment, health and visitor experience on Federal lands. Federal land managers have the opportunity to serve as positive national role models by mainstreaming bicycling to create sustainable transportation networks.
A prospective study was carried out with 130 undergraduate and graduate students. Environmental, cognitive and socio-demographic variables were evaluated at baseline by questionnaire. Two weeks later, active commuting (walking/bicycling) to get to and from work or school was self-reported by questionnaire. The results showed that cognitive variables play a more important role than environmental variables in predicting and explaining active commuting. When environmental variables were significant, they were mediated by cognitive variables. Therefore, individual cognitions should remain one of the main focuses of interventions promoting active commuting among undergraduate and graduate students.
The authors surveyed 1,145 residents recruited from 120 neighborhoods in Portland, Oregon. They examined neighborhood built environment characteristics (fast-food restaurant density, walkability) and individual eating-out and physical activity behaviors in relation to 1-year change in body weight among adults 50–75 years of age at baseline. Findings point to the negative influences of the availability of neighborhood fast-food outlets and individual unhealthy eating behaviors that jointly affect weight gain; however, better neighborhood walkability and increased levels of physical activity are likely to be associated with maintaining a healthy weight over time. See also: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090303161431.htm
This important study from Belgium is based on measurements from 583 pre-school children. Some schoold had play equipment and/or markings at the pre-school playground. Accelerometer-based physical activity levels during recess were collected. Providing playground markings or play equipment is not sufficient to increase activity levels and decrease levels of sedentary activity during pre-school recess. More activating supervision and the inclusion of more structured physical activity seem needed.
This study assessed the amount of PA engaged in by 811 youth aged 11-13 in Canada. On average, students engaged in 160 min/day of PA. Both subjective and objective measures of recreational opportunities were associated positively with PA. Greater access to recreational opportunities seem essential to facilitate youths’ healthy levels of PA.
1208 telephone interviews assessing physical activity and perceptions of the environment. Geographic location was not associated with achievement of sufficient levels of physical activity or walking.
A study in the January/February issue of Child Development suggests that, contrary to popular belief, preschool-aged children are often sedentary in their play, the Los Angeles Times reports. In observing a group of about 540 preschoolers from 24 preschools in South Carolina, researchers recorded and examined almost 265,000, 30-minute segments of the children’s indoor activities and nearly 30,000, 30-minute segments of outdoor activity. During the course of a typical day, 89% of children’s activities were sedentary, 8%were lightly active and 3% were moderately-to-vigorously active.
State Policies Can Help
Feb 18
State and local policies, if accompanied by adequate funding, can help build healthy schools and communities that offer sidewalks, open space and ample opportunity for physical activity, according to research published recently in a special issue of the Journal of Public Health Policy.