Co-benefits of Designing Communities for Active Living
- Author(s): Sallis, James F. et al.
- Organization: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity.
- Date Published: July 1, 2015
The purpose of the paper is to explore a wide range of literature and conduct an initial summary of evidence on co-benefits of activity friendly environments. An extensive but non-systematic review of scientific and “gray” literature was conducted. Five physical activity settings were defined: parks/open space/trails, urban design, transportation, schools, and workplaces/ buildings. Several evidence-based activity-friendly features were identified for each setting.
Designed to move-ACTIVE CITIES: A guide for leaders
- Author(s): Deisgned to move-team of scholarly experts
- Organization: Designed to move
- Date Published: July 1, 2015
This new publication provides evidence and resources to enhance physical activity in cities.
Discovery Park will be Penticton’s first natural playground
- Author(s): Kristi Patton
- Organization: Penticton Western News http://www.pentictonwesternnews.com
- Date Published: April 22, 2013
This article showcases the new natural playground in Penticton which will “…be custom-built, accessible to all and made primarily from natural resources to create earth berm slides, boulders sourced from local rock quarries, rope climbing features, balancing logs built from beetle-infested pine trees, musical instruments, a playhouse and the swings from the original park will be recycled into the project.”
Does Perceived Neighborhood Walkability and Safety Mediate the Association Between Education and Meeting Physical Activity Guidelines?
- Author(s): Michael Pratt, Shaoman Yin, Robin Soler, Rashid Njai, Paul Z. Siegel, Youlian Liao
- Organization: Preventing Chronic Disease, 2015, 12: 140570
- Date Published: May 1, 2015
Physical activity participation, along with other positive health behaviours, is known to relate to various measures of socioeconomic status. One of these is education, with higher education levels being associated with greater physical activity. Aspects of the neighbourhood built environment such as perceived safety and walkability (how walkable an area is) also determine physical activity levels. This study used data from the U.S. Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to quantify how walkability and safety affect the relationship between education and physical activity. These findings give specific direction for action to increase physical activity among people with lower education levels, who tend to do less physical activity. Improving aesthetics and safety in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, such as providing well lit paths and pleasant destinations to walk to, would be an effective way of reducing health disparities.
Happy Trails: The Effect of a Media Campaign on Urban Trail Use in Southern Nevada
- Author(s): Sheila Clark, Tim J. Bungum, Mindy Meacham, Lisa Coker
- Date Published: January 1, 2015
Background: Many Americans do not meet recommendations for physical activity (PA). Communities are building trail networks to encourage PA, but the relationship between trails and PA is not well understood. Methods: We monitored usage of urban trails (N = 10) in Las Vegas, NV, before and after a promotional marketing campaign (October 2011 and April 2012). The media campaign featured print, online, and radio ads, as well as billboards and signage on gas pumps. Data were collected with infrared monitors that were placed on the trails for periods of 7 days. We compared preintervention and postintervention usage rates. Results: Mean usage increased (P < .001) from 3.91 to 5.95 users per hour (52.17%) after the promotional campaign. We observed significant increases at 7 individual trails, significant declines at 2 trails, and no change at 1 trail. Conclusion: Promotional campaigns may be an effective way to increase trail usage and encourage PA.
Health Impact Assessment of Active Transportation
- Author(s): Mueller, Natalie; Rojas-Rveda, David; Cole-Hunter, Tom et al
- Organization: Preventive Medicine
- Date Published: July 1, 2015
Walking and cycling for transportation (i.e. active transportation, AT), provide substantial health benefits from increased physical activity (PA). However, risks of injury from exposure to motorized traffic and their emissions (i.e. air pollution) exist. The objective of this study was to systematically review studies conducting health impact assessment (HIA) of a mode shift to AT on grounds of associated health benefits and risks.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0091743515001164
Healthy Communities Practice Guide
- Author(s): Keltie Craig, James van Hemert
- Organization: Canadian Institute of Planners (http://www.cip-icu.ca/), HB Lanarc
- Date Published: January 1, 2009
This guide is designed for planning practitioners to help them in their work towards healthier communities, and to increase the understanding of the supporting role that health practitioners can play in reaching our common goals. It provides a framework for considering the interconnected aspects of a healthy community, and includes practical examples of how others are accomplishing their goals.
How kids can reconnect with nature on the playground.
- Author(s): Dave McGinn
- Organization: The Globe and Mail http://www.theglobeandmail.com
- Date Published: November 23, 2012
This article sites references from advocates in the field of natural playground on the design elements and benefits of children connecting in natural environments.