How does the built environment affect obesity?
The built environment, in particular, has been thought to play an important role in influencing obesity by creating a climate that promotes increased energy consumption and a reduction in energy expenditure ( 27 ).
How does the built environment impact physical activity?
Specific features of the built environment that has been found to correlate with physical activity levels include mixed land use, residential density and street connectivity. These features have the potential to influence walking for recreational and travel related physical activity.
How does the built environment affect human health?
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.
How can the characteristics of a built environment affect physical activity rates and the health of a community?
Characteristics of built environments, from neighborhoods to cities, have been related to rates of chronic disease and mental health8–10 and risk factors such as obesity11,12 and hypertension. Physical activity is believed to be a critical mechanism by which built environments can affect chronic disease.
How does a child’s built environment impact obesity?
We found that neighborhood features such as walkability/bikeability, mixed land use, accessible destinations, and transit increase resident physical activity; also that access to high-caloric foods and convenience stores increases risk of overweight and obesity, whereas the presence of neighborhood supermarkets and …
Why obesity is an environmental health issue?
The primary environmental determinants of obesity are high calorie intake and low levels of activity. These factors together comprise an obesogenic or ‘toxic’ environment where the development of obesity is the expected course for humans leading lifestyles incompatible with their evolutionary development.
What are the best features of a built environment?
Built environment infrastructure—such as road types, curb cuts and ramps, intersections and crosswalks, traffic control, and public transportation. Walkability—for example, access to safe, attractive sidewalks and paths with inviting features. Bikeability—such as the presence of bike lane or bike path features.
What is an example of built environment?
Examples would include cities, buildings, urban spaces, walkways, roads, parks, etc. The study of the built environment is interdisciplinary in nature and can include such disciplines as: environmental studies.
What are two examples of the built environment that can impact health?
These include our buildings, furnishings, open and public spaces, roads, utilities and other infrastructure. These structures and spaces affect our health by bringing pollutants into our environments and by allowing or restricting access to physical activity, transportation and social interactions.
What is the concept of built environment?
What is the Built Environment? The built environment touches all aspects of our lives, encompassing the buildings we live in, the distribution systems that provide us with water and electricity, and the roads, bridges, and transportation systems we use to get from place to place.