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Built Environment Studies

Our sedentary lifestyle threatens the nation's health. But why are some people active while others are not? Is inactivity only a matter of choice, or do our neighborhoods affect our behavior?

Health Research for Action is looking for answers through two research projects led by UC Berkeley Professor William Satariano, PhD, MPH. These studies are aimed at reversing the decline in physical activity:

Healthy Aging Network Walking Study: This was a national study of nearly 1,000 older adults in four diverse areas of the country. We looked at the lifestyles and neighborhoods of older adults to understand how neighborhood "walkability" influences patterns of activity. The study was conducted under the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Active Living Research program. Following are some of our findings:

  • About one out of every three people we interviewed walked 2 ½ hours or more each week. (The CDC recommends that all adults get at least 2 ½ hours of physical activity each week.)
  • People who lived close to shops, restaurants, and other conveniences walked more than people who lived in suburban areas.
  • People who felt their neighborhoods were safe walked more than people who did not.
  • People who were healthier walked more. People who felt tired or had leg pain walked less.

In the next part of our work, we are interviewing people again to learn more about why some people stay healthier and remain active as they get older.

Parental Perception of Neighborhood Safety: Are we trading our children's health for safety? If so, we need to know. Health Research for Action conducted a pilot study of the relationship between the sedentary behavior of children and their parents' perception of danger. The study probed even deeper and asked how parental perceptions of safety relate to other measures of the environment and how they might be affected by socioeconomic status and ethnicity. Kaiser Permanente's Division of Research was a partner in this study.

After adjusting for demographic factors, we found that the safety of the closest park or playground at night as well as the presence of good street lighting, crosswalks, and pedestrian signals were associated with children's more frequent involvement in both moderate and vigorous physical activity.