Built environment and physical activity in New Zealand youth
Research Project
posted by Research Admin on 7 June 2012
Description
Professor Grant Schofield from AUT University will lead the New Zealand arm of an international collaboration across ten countries to characterise the effect that the built urban environment has on physical activity and health in adolescents.
Adolescence is a time when physical activity levels typically decreases by 60 – 70 per cent. Physical activity is essential for human health, yet technological and environmental changes that promote sitting, passive travel, and reduced incidental physical activity accumulation have become more prevalent in society over the last 50 years. New Zealand studies have demonstrated how urban environments may affect physical activity in adults, but the effect on adolescents is not clear.
The study will measure the links of neighbourhood-level urban form features with physical activity, sedentary behaviour, body size and community connectedness in 1,600 New Zealand adolescents (12-18 years). Findings will inform national and international town planning, policy change, and redesign of existing urban environments to maximise physical activity and community connectedness, and minimise sedentary behaviour and body size, all key determinants of human health.
Start Date
Jun 1, 2012
Status
In Progress
Dissemination
Professor Grant Schofield, AUT University, phone (09) 921 9169.
Funders
Health Research Council of New Zealand
Funding Amount
$1,198,920 over 36 months