Do you
have walking trail in your community? Parks? Sidewalks?
Bicycle paths? If so, do you walk, run, ride bikes on
them? These are aspects of what is an “activity-friendly
environment”
for recreational physical activity. People in
activity-friendly environments are more likely to be
physical active. These characteristics are: 1. Better
access to facilities 2. Pleasant surroundings 3. Safe
places and 4. Walkable neighborhoods (www.activelivingresearch.org).
The built
environment influences a person’s level of physical
activity. For example, inaccessible or nonexistent
sidewalks and bicycle or walking paths contribute to
sedentary habits. These habits lead to poor health
outcomes such as obesity, cardiovascular disease,
diabetes, and some types of cancer. Today, approximately
two thirds of Americans are overweight.
Built
Environment projects focus on community design projects;
Enhances the capacity of communities to be involved in
decision making processes and extend their role in
issues pertinent to their community.
Community members will be invited and
encouraged to participate in all phases of the
projects. Working with community members to facilitate
the project will help ensure that the planning,
implementation, and evaluation of the program utilizes
culturally and linguistically appropriate approaches for
the target population.
Harris
County Public Health & Environmental Services &
Steps to a Healthier Houston-Harris
County Consortium
have undertaken the study of the Built
Environment/Physical Activity in Harris County. This
effort will provide an opportunity to identify the role
that parks can play in facilitating physical activity.
The study will look at why people use
parks and what may hinder people from using parks.
Built Environment Project: Increasing
physical activity among adults in racially/ethnically
diverse communities in Harris County
is a two year project funded by Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Prevention
Research Center (PRC) Community Academic Partnership,
facilitated by St. Louis University, and Faith Access to
Community Economic Development, in partnership with the
CDC/PRC National Community Committee;
University of Texas Prevention Research Center & St.
Lukes Episcopal Charities.
