scholarly journals Identification of Effective Programs to Improve Access to and Use of Trails among Youth from Under-Resourced Communities: A Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (21) ◽  
pp. 7707
Author(s):  
Julian A. Reed ◽  
Rachel M. Ballard ◽  
Michael Hill ◽  
David Berrigan
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Transportation Systems ◽  
Trail Use ◽  
Access Road

The primary purpose of this paper is to identify and review studies evaluating the effectiveness of programs to increase access to trails and trails use (physical activity) among youth from under-resourced communities. Three additional goals include identifying: (1) Correlates of physical activity/trail use and features of transportation systems and/or built environment and land use destinations, that may inform and support the planning and implementation of programs to promote trail use among youth, (2) benefits associated with trail use, and (3) barriers to trail use. Under-resourced communities are defined as those lacking sufficient resources (i.e., under-funded). METHODS: A review of the literature was conducted to identify, abstract, and evaluate studies related to programs to promote trail use among youth and youth from under-resourced communities. In anticipation of very few studies being published about this topic, studies were also reviewed to identify correlates of transportation systems and built environment and land use destinations related to increases in physical activity, and benefits of, and barriers to trail use. PUBMED, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Sportdiscus, Annual Reviews, American Trails, and Google Scholar databases were searched using terms including trails, built environment, physical activity, exercise, walking, children, adolescents, and youth to identify studies that potentially related to the purposes for conducting this review. Review methods identified, 5278 studies based on our search terms. A review of study titles, abstracts, and select full article screens determined that 5049 studies did not meet the study inclusion criteria, leaving 221 studies included in this review. RESULTS: No studies were located that evaluated programs designed to promote and increase trail use among youth, including youth from under-resourced communities. Eight studies used longitudinal or quasi-experimental designs to evaluate physical activity and neighborhood characteristics prospectively among adolescent girls (n = 1), the effects of the path or trail development on physical activity behaviors of children, youth, and adults (n = 4), marketing or media campaigns (n = 2), and wayfinding and incremental distance signage (n = 1) to promote increased trail use. Correlates of transportation systems (e.g., trail access, road traffic congestion related to safe active travel, lack of sidewalks, closer proximity to trails, access to transportation), destinations (e.g., park availability and access, park improvements, greenspaces), or both routes and destinations (e.g., perceptions of safety, lighting), were identified. These correlates may support the planning and implementation of programs to increase trail use among youth, or may facilitate the connection of trails or routes to destinations in communities. Barriers to trail use included costs, crime, lack of transportation, lack of role models using trails, and institutional discrimination. Conclusions: Scientific evidence in support of addressing the underrepresentation of trail use by youth from under-resourced communities is lacking. However, there is a related body of evidence that may inform how to develop programs that support trail use by youth from under-resourced areas. Dedicated, deliberate, and systematic efforts will be required to address research and knowledge gaps, and to evaluate programs and practice related to trail use among youth from low income, often racially or ethnically diverse under-resourced neighborhoods or communities.

scholarly journals Built Environment Approaches to Increase Physical Activity: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
John D. Omura ◽  
Susan A. Carlson ◽  
David R. Brown ◽  
David P. Hopkins ◽  
William E. Kraus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
United States ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Cardiovascular Health ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Environmental Design ◽  
Preventive Services ◽  
The United States ◽  
Transportation Systems

Engaging in regular physical activity is one of the most important things people can do to improve their cardiovascular health; however, population levels of physical activity remain low in the United States. Effective population-based approaches implemented in communities can help increase physical activity among all Americans. Evidence suggests that built environment interventions offer one such approach. These interventions aim to create or modify community environmental characteristics to make physical activity easier or more accessible for all people in the places where they live. In 2016, the Community Preventive Services Task Force released a recommendation for built environment approaches to increase physical activity. This recommendation is based on a systematic review of 90 studies (search period, 1980–June 2014) conducted using methods outlined by the Guide to Community Preventive Services. The Community Preventive Services Task Force found sufficient evidence of effectiveness to recommend combined built environment strategies. Specifically, these strategies combine interventions to improve pedestrian or bicycle transportation systems with interventions to improve land use and environmental design. Components of transportation systems can include street pattern design and connectivity, pedestrian infrastructure, bicycle infrastructure, and public transit infrastructure and access. Components of land use and environmental design can include mixed land use, increased residential density, proximity to community or neighborhood destinations, and parks and recreational facility access. Implementing this Community Preventive Services Task Force recommendation in communities across the United States can help promote healthy and active living, increase physical activity, and ultimately improve cardiovascular health.

scholarly journals Traffic noise feedback in agent-based Integrated Land-Use/Transport Models

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nico Kuehnel ◽  
Dominik Ziemke ◽  
Rolf Moeckel
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Road Traffic ◽  
Air Pollutant ◽  
Pollutant Emissions ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Environmental Implications ◽  
Transport Models ◽  
Agent Based

Road traffic is a common source of negative environmental externalities such as noise and air pollution. While existing transport models are capable of accurately representing environmental stressors of road traffic, this is less true for integrated land-use/transport models. So-called land-use-transport-environment models aim to integrate environmental impacts. However, the environmental implications are often analyzed as an output of the model only, even though research suggests that the environment itself can have an impact on land use. The few existing models that actually introduce a feedback between land-use and environment fall back on aggregated zonal values. This paper presents a proof of concept for an integrated, microscopic and agent-based approach for a feedback loop between transport-related noise emissions and land-use. The results show that the microscopic link between the submodels is operational and fine-grained analysis by different types of agents is possible. It is shown that high-income households react differently to noise exposure when compared low-income households. The presented approach opens new possibilities for analyzing and understanding noise abatement policies as well as issues of environmental equity. The methodology can be transferred to include air pollutant emissions in the future.

Latina Elementary School Girls’ Experiences in an Urban After-School Physical Education and Literacy Program

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Risto Marttinen ◽  
Mara Simon ◽  
Sharon Phillips ◽  
Ray N. Fredrick
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Role Models ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Literacy Program ◽  
After School ◽  
Educational Approach ◽  
Community Spaces ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Latina Girls

Purpose: To understand where and how Latina girls are physically active outside of the Reflective Educational Approach to Character and Health program and the impact of female role models on participation in the program. Methods: The authors implemented a yearlong after-school physical activity and literacy program for fifth and sixth grade girls (N = 22 girls) in a low-income, urban community. Four university students/coaches delivered all sessions. Data were triangulated through 10 Latina girls’ interviews, student journals, coaches’ journals, researcher journals, and field notes, and analyzed using constant comparison. Results: Girls participated in leisure-time physical activities with family in community spaces, in spite of social and cultural barriers. Female coaches facilitated girls’ increased engagement by acting as strong role models and fostering caring relationships. Conclusion: After-school programs, community spaces, and strong connections with coaches play a critical role in students’ engagement in physical activity.

scholarly journals Is the perceived neighborhood built environment associated with domain-specific physical activity in Latin American adults? An eight-country observational study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerson Ferrari ◽  
◽  
André Oliveira Werneck ◽  
Danilo Rodrigues da Silva ◽  
Irina Kovalskys ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Leisure Time ◽  
Shopping Centers ◽  
Domain Specific ◽  
Land Use Mix ◽  
Neighborhood Built Environment ◽  
Latin American Countries

Abstract Background Characteristics of the neighborhood built environment are associated with physical activity (PA). However, few studies with representative samples have examined environmental correlates of domain-specific PA in Latin America. We examined the associations of the perceived neighborhood built environment with domain-specific PA in a large sample of adults from eight Latin American countries. Methods This study examined data from 8185 adults (aged 18–65 years) from eight Latin American countries. The Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Survey - Abbreviated (NEWS-A) scale was used to assess perceptions of land use mix–diversity, land use mix-access, street connectivity, walking/cycling facilities, aesthetics, safety from traffic, and safety from crime. Perceived proximity from home to public open spaces (metropolitan parks, playgrounds, public squares) and to shopping centers was also measured. Transport-related and leisure-time PA were assessed using the long form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Both logistic and linear regression models were estimated on pooled data. Results Perceptions of higher land use mix-access (OR: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.22,1.61), the existence of many alternative routes in the neighbourhood (1.12; 1.04,1.20), slow speed of traffic (1.19; 1.03,1.35) and few drivers exceeding the speed limits (1.09; 1.03,1.15) were associated with greater odds of reporting at least 10 min/week of transport-related PA. Perceptions of higher levels of land use mix-diversity, better aesthetics and greater safety from crime, the presence of crosswalks and pedestrian signals, and greater proximity of shopping centers were associated with more min/week of transport-related PA. Perceptions of higher land use mix-diversity (1.12; 1.05,1.20), higher land use mix-access (1.27; 1.13,1.43), more walking/cycling facilities (1.18; 1.09,1.28), and better aesthetics (1.10; 1.02,1.18) were associated with greater odds of engaging in at least 10 min/week of leisure-time PA versus none. Perceptions of higher land use mix-diversity were associated with more min/week of leisure PA. Conclusions Different perceived neighborhood built environment characteristics were associated with domain-specific PA among adults from Latin America countries. Interventions designed to modify perceptions of the neighbourhood built environment might influence initiation or maintenance of domain-specific PA. Trial registration ClinicalTrials. Gov NCT02226627. Retrospectively registered on August 27, 2014.

scholarly journals ROLE OF LAND USE PLANNING IN IMPROVING PUBLIC HEALTH: WAY FORWARD FOR MALAYSIA

2008 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ainul Jaria Maidin
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Land Use ◽  
Traffic Safety ◽  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Health Planning ◽  
Environmental Pollutants ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Transportation Systems ◽  
Local Health

It is an undeniable fact that land use planning regulatory framework and concern for improving living and built environment originated from the desire to improve public health, Planning issues remained at the root of some of the most intractable public health problems, including the declining rates of physical activity resulting from automobile-dependent environments or the isolation of poor and minority conmunities in areas plagued by environmental pollutants, violent crime, and high rates of disease. Land use, community design, and transportation systems substantially impact local air quality, water quality and supply, traffic safety, physical activity and exposure to contaminated industries. Mental health and quality of life issues also are profoundly affected by factors ranging fro1n the stress and difficulties of commuting to the presence or absence of natural areas and green spaces. There is a general realization that health specialists or planning departtnents cannot afford to operate in isolation from one another. This article intends to examine the important role that can be assumed by the members of local health department and other public health professionals in protecting local environmental health and improving the health of the communities through land use planning.

From Mobility to Accessibility

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Levine ◽  
Joe Grengs ◽  
Louis A. Merlin
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Land Use Planning ◽  
Transportation Planning ◽  
Metropolitan Areas ◽  
Transportation Systems ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Modern Cities ◽  
Standard Models ◽  
Per Se

This book flips the tables on the standard models for evaluating regional transportation performance. It argues for an “accessibility shift” whereby transportation planning, and the transportation dimensions of land-use planning, would be based on people's ability to reach destinations, rather than on their ability to travel fast. Existing models for planning and evaluating transportation, which have taken vehicle speeds as the most important measure, would make sense if movement were the purpose of transportation. But it is the ability to reach destinations, not movement per se, that people seek from their transportation systems. While the concept of accessibility has been around for the better part of a century, the book shows that the accessibility shift is compelled by the fundamental purpose of transportation. It argues that the shift would be transformative to the practice of both transportation and land-use planning but is impeded by many conceptual obstacles regarding the nature of accessibility and its potential for guiding development of the built environment. By redefining success in transportation, the book provides city planners, decision makers, and scholars a path to reforming the practice of transportation and land-use planning in modern cities and metropolitan areas.

Designing Healthier Built Environments

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Gullón ◽  
Gina S. Lovasi
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Built Environments ◽  
Street Connectivity ◽  
Research Challenges

The “built environment” is comprised of human-made structures and systems, and aspects include access to and attractiveness of walkable destinations (e.g., retail stores, parks) and community design features (e.g., street connectivity, sidewalk access). A variety of built environment characteristics can influence health outcomes and behaviors, including physical activity, obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and mental health, as well as sleep and use of tobacco and alcohol. This chapter discusses the large and complex accumulated research on the built environment as well as the methods used to study it, research challenges, policy implication, and how to bring together partnerships for policy change. This chapter also discusses the research conducted across populations (e.g., children, low-income individuals) and geographies (e.g., urban and rural geographies).

scholarly journals Aspects of the built environment associated with obesity in children and adolescents: A narrative review

2015 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Nappi Corrêa ◽  
Bethsáida de Abreu Soares Schmitz ◽  
Francisco de Assis Guedes de Vasconcelos
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Built Environment ◽  
Children And Adolescents ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Fast Foods ◽  
Food Retailers ◽  
Narrative Literature ◽  
Narrative Literature Review ◽  
The Relationship

OBJECTIVE: To perform a narrative literature review to describe the availability of food retailers (groceries and eateries) and their association with obesity in schoolchildren and adolescents. METHODS: The review included studies published from 2003 to 2013 listed in three databases with data on the child's school and/or home surroundings. RESULTS: There was a higher concentration of fast foods near the schools, especially high schools, public schools, or schools located in low-income regions. Moreover, children and adolescents living in areas further from convenience stores had better diets. CONCLUSION: Acknowledging the relationship between built environment and obesity by establishing scientific evidence is necessary for developing specific strategies that help to control the spread of obesity in this age group, aiming to construct healthier spaces.

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