Authors:
Hunter RF, Christian H, Veitch J, Astell-Burt T, Hipp JA, Schipperijn J
Authors notes:
Social Science and Medicine. 2015;124:246-256
Keywords:
Behavior change, Built environment, Interventions, Physical activity, Public health, Social environment, Systematic review
Abstract:
Evidence is mounting on the association between the built environment and physical activity (PA) with a call for intervention research.
A broader approach which recognizes the role of supportive environments that can make healthy choices easier is required.
A systematic review was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of interventions to encourage PA in urban green space.
There was some evidence to support built environment only interventions for encouraging use and increasing PA in urban green space.
There was more promising evidence to support PA programs or PA programs combined with a physical change to the built environment, for increasing urban green space use and PAof users.
Recommendations for future research include the need for longer term follow-up post-intervention, adequate control groups, sufficiently powered studies, and consideration of the social environment, which was identified as a significantly under-utilized resource in this area.
Interventions that involve the use of PA programs combined with a physical change to the built environment are likely to have a positive effect on PA.
Robust evaluations of such interventions are urgently required.
The findings provide a platform to inform the design, implementation and evaluation of future urban green space and PAintervention research.
A systematic review was undertaken to assess the effectiveness of interventions to encourage physical activity in urban green space.