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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #415414
Research Project: Preventing the Development of Childhood Obesity

Location: Children's Nutrition Research Center

Title: The physical environment and public policy

Author
item LEE, REBECCA - Arizona State University
item MAMA, SCHEREZADE - Md Anderson Cancer Center
item LEACH, HEATHER - Colorado State University
item SOLTERO, ERICA - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item PARKER, NATHAN - H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2024
Publication Date: 5/21/2024
Citation: Lee, R.E., Mama, S.K., Leach, H.J., Soltero, E.G., Parker, N.H. 2024. The physical environment and public policy. In: Razon S, Sachs ML, editors. Applied Exercise Physiology: The Challenging Journey from Motivation to Adherence, 2nd edition. New York, NY: Routledge. Chapter 15. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003279587-15.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003279587-15

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: This chapter discusses how policy and the environment work together to influence physical activity participation with specific setting illustrations. It focuses on physical connections, pathways, and linkages. Transportation between micro-level environments is a primary component of the meso-level environment and should be an important focus for policies encouraging physical activity. Local policies can expand and improve public transportation options to effectively increase physical activity, as the use of buses, subways, and light rails typically involves active transportation to and from established stops or stations. Policies that affect roadway improvements, such as the addition or improvement of bike lanes, pedestrian pathways, and way-finding signage, can also improve transportation-related meso-level environment by increasing physical activity via enhancing safety. The chapter discusses cross-level policy interactions, illustrated by specific examples of particular interest to health researchers and promoters. It describes the level of ecological model of physical activity to emphasize the endless possible combinations of built environments and policies that can co-exist to promote physical activity.