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Is the built environment associated with physical activity?

A feasibility study

About this study

The Foresight Commission, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other leading health agencies have highlighted the multifaceted causes of falling levels of physical activity at all ages and a rising trend of obesity.

Although the causes are personal, social and environmental, research to date has primarily focused on the personal correlates of physical activity. But in recent years a much greater emphasis has been placed on the potential of the built environment to encourage or obstruct physical activity.

To fully understand the extent to which the built environment explains variations in physical activity levels requires the thorough characterization of physical activity patterns and the detailed characterization of the environment.

To date this level of characterization of environmental exposures and physical activity outcomes has not been undertaken in the UK.

This feasibility study will test a research design and protocol which, if found to be successful, may then be adopted in a larger study to provide compelling and robust evidence on the extent to which the built environment influences physical activity and the nature of this affect.

Timeline

March 2011: Fieldwork ends

September 2011: Report due

Method

NatCen are working in collaboration with the lead agencies involved, conducting a survey of 1,000 people in one geographical area. Qualitative research will follow up with 32 of the survey participants to explore their experience of taking part in the survey and their conceptualisation of space, place and activity.

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