Global concerns about rising levels of chronic disease make timely translation of research into p... more Global concerns about rising levels of chronic disease make timely translation of research into policy and practice a priority. There is a need to tackle common risk factors: tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and harmful alcohol use. Using evidence to inform policy and practice is challenging, often hampered by a poor fit between academic research and the needs of policymakers and practitioners - notably for active living researchers whose objective is to increase population physical activity by changing the ways cities are designed and built. We propose 10 strategies that may facilitate translation of research into health-enhancing urban planning policy. Strategies include interdisciplinary research teams of policymakers and practitioners; undertaking explicitly policy-relevant research; adopting appropriate study designs and methodologies (evaluation of policy initiatives as 'natural experiments'); and adopting dissemination strategies that include knowled...
Global concerns about rising levels of chronic disease make timely translation of research into p... more Global concerns about rising levels of chronic disease make timely translation of research into policy and practice a priority. There is a need to tackle common risk factors: tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and harmful alcohol use. Using evidence to inform policy and practice is challenging, often hampered by a poor fit between academic research and the needs of policymakers and practitioners - notably for active living researchers whose objective is to increase population physical activity by changing the ways cities are designed and built. We propose 10 strategies that may facilitate translation of research into health-enhancing urban planning policy. Strategies include interdisciplinary research teams of policymakers and practitioners; undertaking explicitly policy-relevant research; adopting appropriate study designs and methodologies (evaluation of policy initiatives as 'natural experiments'); and adopting dissemination strategies that include knowled...
While there is a growing literature on the relations between neighborhood design and health facto... more While there is a growing literature on the relations between neighborhood design and health factors such as physical activity and obesity, less focus has been placed on older adults, who may be particularly vulnerable to environmental influences. This study evaluates the relations among objectively measured neighborhood design, mobility impairment, and physical activity and body weight in two U.S. regional samples of community dwelling older adults living in neighborhoods differing in walkability and income levels. An observational design involving two time points six months apart was employed between 2005 and 2008. U.S. Census block groups in Seattle-King County, Washington and Baltimore, Maryland-Washington DC regions were selected via geographic information systems to maximize variability in walkability and income. Participants were 719 adults ages 66 years and older who were able to complete surveys in English and walk at least 10 feet continuously. Measurements included reporte...
While there is a growing literature on the relations between neighborhood design and health facto... more While there is a growing literature on the relations between neighborhood design and health factors such as physical activity and obesity, less focus has been placed on older adults, who may be particularly vulnerable to environmental influences. This study evaluates the relations among objectively measured neighborhood design, mobility impairment, and physical activity and body weight in two U.S. regional samples of community dwelling older adults living in neighborhoods differing in walkability and income levels. An observational design involving two time points six months apart was employed between 2005 and 2008. U.S. Census block groups in Seattle-King County, Washington and Baltimore, Maryland-Washington DC regions were selected via geographic information systems to maximize variability in walkability and income. Participants were 719 adults ages 66 years and older who were able to complete surveys in English and walk at least 10 feet continuously. Measurements included reporte...
Concurrent validity of Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS) items was evaluated with... more Concurrent validity of Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS) items was evaluated with objective measures of the built environment using geographic information systems (GIS). A sample of 878 parents of children 10 to 16 years old (mean age 43.5 years, SD = 6.8, 34.8% non-White, 63.8% overweight) completed NEWS and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. GIS was used to develop 1-mile street network buffers around participants' residences. GIS measures of the built environment within participants' buffers included percent of commercial and institutional land uses; number of schools and colleges, recreational facilities, parks, transit stops, and trees; land topography; and traffic congestion. Except for trees and traffic, concordance between the NEWS and GIS measures were significant, with weak to moderate effect sizes (r = -0.09 to -0.36, all P < or = 01). After participants were stratified by physical activity level, stronger concordance was observe...
Concurrent validity of Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS) items was evaluated with... more Concurrent validity of Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS) items was evaluated with objective measures of the built environment using geographic information systems (GIS). A sample of 878 parents of children 10 to 16 years old (mean age 43.5 years, SD = 6.8, 34.8% non-White, 63.8% overweight) completed NEWS and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. GIS was used to develop 1-mile street network buffers around participants' residences. GIS measures of the built environment within participants' buffers included percent of commercial and institutional land uses; number of schools and colleges, recreational facilities, parks, transit stops, and trees; land topography; and traffic congestion. Except for trees and traffic, concordance between the NEWS and GIS measures were significant, with weak to moderate effect sizes (r = -0.09 to -0.36, all P < or = 01). After participants were stratified by physical activity level, stronger concordance was observe...
Purpose. To examine associations of neighborhood walkability and recreation environment variables... more Purpose. To examine associations of neighborhood walkability and recreation environment variables with physical activity in adolescents. Methods. The cross-sectional study was conducted with 98 white or Mexican-American adolescents (mean age 5 16.2 years). Physical activity was measured with 7 days of accelerometer monitoring. Height and weight were measured to compute body mass index (BMI). Environmental measures were created using geographic
Purpose. To examine associations of neighborhood walkability and recreation environment variables... more Purpose. To examine associations of neighborhood walkability and recreation environment variables with physical activity in adolescents. Methods. The cross-sectional study was conducted with 98 white or Mexican-American adolescents (mean age 5 16.2 years). Physical activity was measured with 7 days of accelerometer monitoring. Height and weight were measured to compute body mass index (BMI). Environmental measures were created using geographic
Associations between,access to destinations and,walking,for transport were examined. Households,(... more Associations between,access to destinations and,walking,for transport were examined. Households,(N ¼ 2650) were selected from,32 urban,communities,varying in walkability and socio-economic,status. Respondents,reported,perceived proximity of destinations, transport-related walking, reasons for neighbourhood selection, and socio-demographic characteristics. Geographic,Information Systems data defined objective measures,of access to destinations. Measures,of access to destinations,were,associated,with transport-related walking. Associations depended,on,socio-demographic factors and type of destinations. Workplace proximity was the most
Associations between,access to destinations and,walking,for transport were examined. Households,(... more Associations between,access to destinations and,walking,for transport were examined. Households,(N ¼ 2650) were selected from,32 urban,communities,varying in walkability and socio-economic,status. Respondents,reported,perceived proximity of destinations, transport-related walking, reasons for neighbourhood selection, and socio-demographic characteristics. Geographic,Information Systems data defined objective measures,of access to destinations. Measures,of access to destinations,were,associated,with transport-related walking. Associations depended,on,socio-demographic factors and type of destinations. Workplace proximity was the most
CERIN, E., B. E. SAELENS, J. F. SALLIS, and L. D. FRANK. Neighborhood Environment Walkability Sca... more CERIN, E., B. E. SAELENS, J. F. SALLIS, and L. D. FRANK. Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale: Validity and Development of a Short Form. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 38, No. 9, pp. 1682-1691, 2006. Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the factorial and criterion validity of the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS) and to develop an abbreviated
CERIN, E., B. E. SAELENS, J. F. SALLIS, and L. D. FRANK. Neighborhood Environment Walkability Sca... more CERIN, E., B. E. SAELENS, J. F. SALLIS, and L. D. FRANK. Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale: Validity and Development of a Short Form. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 38, No. 9, pp. 1682-1691, 2006. Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the factorial and criterion validity of the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS) and to develop an abbreviated
Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 2007
This paper looks at pedestrian travel in Atlanta by US youths aged 518 years. Relationships betw... more This paper looks at pedestrian travel in Atlanta by US youths aged 518 years. Relationships between five urban form variables and walking in specific demographic subgroups are assessed using stratified logistic models and controlling for participant demographics. All five urban ...
Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 2007
This paper looks at pedestrian travel in Atlanta by US youths aged 518 years. Relationships betw... more This paper looks at pedestrian travel in Atlanta by US youths aged 518 years. Relationships between five urban form variables and walking in specific demographic subgroups are assessed using stratified logistic models and controlling for participant demographics. All five urban ...
Global concerns about rising levels of chronic disease make timely translation of research into p... more Global concerns about rising levels of chronic disease make timely translation of research into policy and practice a priority. There is a need to tackle common risk factors: tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and harmful alcohol use. Using evidence to inform policy and practice is challenging, often hampered by a poor fit between academic research and the needs of policymakers and practitioners - notably for active living researchers whose objective is to increase population physical activity by changing the ways cities are designed and built. We propose 10 strategies that may facilitate translation of research into health-enhancing urban planning policy. Strategies include interdisciplinary research teams of policymakers and practitioners; undertaking explicitly policy-relevant research; adopting appropriate study designs and methodologies (evaluation of policy initiatives as 'natural experiments'); and adopting dissemination strategies that include knowled...
Global concerns about rising levels of chronic disease make timely translation of research into p... more Global concerns about rising levels of chronic disease make timely translation of research into policy and practice a priority. There is a need to tackle common risk factors: tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, and harmful alcohol use. Using evidence to inform policy and practice is challenging, often hampered by a poor fit between academic research and the needs of policymakers and practitioners - notably for active living researchers whose objective is to increase population physical activity by changing the ways cities are designed and built. We propose 10 strategies that may facilitate translation of research into health-enhancing urban planning policy. Strategies include interdisciplinary research teams of policymakers and practitioners; undertaking explicitly policy-relevant research; adopting appropriate study designs and methodologies (evaluation of policy initiatives as 'natural experiments'); and adopting dissemination strategies that include knowled...
While there is a growing literature on the relations between neighborhood design and health facto... more While there is a growing literature on the relations between neighborhood design and health factors such as physical activity and obesity, less focus has been placed on older adults, who may be particularly vulnerable to environmental influences. This study evaluates the relations among objectively measured neighborhood design, mobility impairment, and physical activity and body weight in two U.S. regional samples of community dwelling older adults living in neighborhoods differing in walkability and income levels. An observational design involving two time points six months apart was employed between 2005 and 2008. U.S. Census block groups in Seattle-King County, Washington and Baltimore, Maryland-Washington DC regions were selected via geographic information systems to maximize variability in walkability and income. Participants were 719 adults ages 66 years and older who were able to complete surveys in English and walk at least 10 feet continuously. Measurements included reporte...
While there is a growing literature on the relations between neighborhood design and health facto... more While there is a growing literature on the relations between neighborhood design and health factors such as physical activity and obesity, less focus has been placed on older adults, who may be particularly vulnerable to environmental influences. This study evaluates the relations among objectively measured neighborhood design, mobility impairment, and physical activity and body weight in two U.S. regional samples of community dwelling older adults living in neighborhoods differing in walkability and income levels. An observational design involving two time points six months apart was employed between 2005 and 2008. U.S. Census block groups in Seattle-King County, Washington and Baltimore, Maryland-Washington DC regions were selected via geographic information systems to maximize variability in walkability and income. Participants were 719 adults ages 66 years and older who were able to complete surveys in English and walk at least 10 feet continuously. Measurements included reporte...
Concurrent validity of Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS) items was evaluated with... more Concurrent validity of Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS) items was evaluated with objective measures of the built environment using geographic information systems (GIS). A sample of 878 parents of children 10 to 16 years old (mean age 43.5 years, SD = 6.8, 34.8% non-White, 63.8% overweight) completed NEWS and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. GIS was used to develop 1-mile street network buffers around participants' residences. GIS measures of the built environment within participants' buffers included percent of commercial and institutional land uses; number of schools and colleges, recreational facilities, parks, transit stops, and trees; land topography; and traffic congestion. Except for trees and traffic, concordance between the NEWS and GIS measures were significant, with weak to moderate effect sizes (r = -0.09 to -0.36, all P < or = 01). After participants were stratified by physical activity level, stronger concordance was observe...
Concurrent validity of Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS) items was evaluated with... more Concurrent validity of Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS) items was evaluated with objective measures of the built environment using geographic information systems (GIS). A sample of 878 parents of children 10 to 16 years old (mean age 43.5 years, SD = 6.8, 34.8% non-White, 63.8% overweight) completed NEWS and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. GIS was used to develop 1-mile street network buffers around participants' residences. GIS measures of the built environment within participants' buffers included percent of commercial and institutional land uses; number of schools and colleges, recreational facilities, parks, transit stops, and trees; land topography; and traffic congestion. Except for trees and traffic, concordance between the NEWS and GIS measures were significant, with weak to moderate effect sizes (r = -0.09 to -0.36, all P < or = 01). After participants were stratified by physical activity level, stronger concordance was observe...
Purpose. To examine associations of neighborhood walkability and recreation environment variables... more Purpose. To examine associations of neighborhood walkability and recreation environment variables with physical activity in adolescents. Methods. The cross-sectional study was conducted with 98 white or Mexican-American adolescents (mean age 5 16.2 years). Physical activity was measured with 7 days of accelerometer monitoring. Height and weight were measured to compute body mass index (BMI). Environmental measures were created using geographic
Purpose. To examine associations of neighborhood walkability and recreation environment variables... more Purpose. To examine associations of neighborhood walkability and recreation environment variables with physical activity in adolescents. Methods. The cross-sectional study was conducted with 98 white or Mexican-American adolescents (mean age 5 16.2 years). Physical activity was measured with 7 days of accelerometer monitoring. Height and weight were measured to compute body mass index (BMI). Environmental measures were created using geographic
Associations between,access to destinations and,walking,for transport were examined. Households,(... more Associations between,access to destinations and,walking,for transport were examined. Households,(N ¼ 2650) were selected from,32 urban,communities,varying in walkability and socio-economic,status. Respondents,reported,perceived proximity of destinations, transport-related walking, reasons for neighbourhood selection, and socio-demographic characteristics. Geographic,Information Systems data defined objective measures,of access to destinations. Measures,of access to destinations,were,associated,with transport-related walking. Associations depended,on,socio-demographic factors and type of destinations. Workplace proximity was the most
Associations between,access to destinations and,walking,for transport were examined. Households,(... more Associations between,access to destinations and,walking,for transport were examined. Households,(N ¼ 2650) were selected from,32 urban,communities,varying in walkability and socio-economic,status. Respondents,reported,perceived proximity of destinations, transport-related walking, reasons for neighbourhood selection, and socio-demographic characteristics. Geographic,Information Systems data defined objective measures,of access to destinations. Measures,of access to destinations,were,associated,with transport-related walking. Associations depended,on,socio-demographic factors and type of destinations. Workplace proximity was the most
CERIN, E., B. E. SAELENS, J. F. SALLIS, and L. D. FRANK. Neighborhood Environment Walkability Sca... more CERIN, E., B. E. SAELENS, J. F. SALLIS, and L. D. FRANK. Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale: Validity and Development of a Short Form. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 38, No. 9, pp. 1682-1691, 2006. Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the factorial and criterion validity of the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS) and to develop an abbreviated
CERIN, E., B. E. SAELENS, J. F. SALLIS, and L. D. FRANK. Neighborhood Environment Walkability Sca... more CERIN, E., B. E. SAELENS, J. F. SALLIS, and L. D. FRANK. Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale: Validity and Development of a Short Form. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 38, No. 9, pp. 1682-1691, 2006. Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the factorial and criterion validity of the Neighborhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS) and to develop an abbreviated
Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 2007
This paper looks at pedestrian travel in Atlanta by US youths aged 518 years. Relationships betw... more This paper looks at pedestrian travel in Atlanta by US youths aged 518 years. Relationships between five urban form variables and walking in specific demographic subgroups are assessed using stratified logistic models and controlling for participant demographics. All five urban ...
Transportation Research Part D: Transport and Environment, 2007
This paper looks at pedestrian travel in Atlanta by US youths aged 518 years. Relationships betw... more This paper looks at pedestrian travel in Atlanta by US youths aged 518 years. Relationships between five urban form variables and walking in specific demographic subgroups are assessed using stratified logistic models and controlling for participant demographics. All five urban ...
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