Abstract
Language | English |
---|---|
Pages | 103-109 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Proceedings of the ICE - Municipal Engineer |
Volume | 160 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2007 |
Fingerprint
Keywords
- infrastructure planning
- public health
- town and city planning
Cite this
}
Engineering children's physical activity : making active choices easy. / Nelson, N.; Woods, C.
In: Proceedings of the ICE - Municipal Engineer, Vol. 160, No. 2, 2007, p. 103-109.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Engineering children's physical activity
T2 - Proceedings of the ICE - Municipal Engineer
AU - Nelson, N.
AU - Woods, C.
PY - 2007
Y1 - 2007
N2 - Regular participation in physical activity provides physical, social and mental benefits to young peoples' health and well-being; however, there is increasing concern that large numbers of children and adolescents are doing insufficient physical activity to obtain health benefits. The physical environment is a major factor in providing opportunities to be physically active. In order to plan, design and manage cities that make children happy and safe, it is paramount to consider how children experience their environment, and which specific features of the physical environment are related to their physical activity and consequently their health. This review proposes that physical activity has been engineered out of the daily lives of children through transportation systems, land-use patterns and neighbourhood designs that inhibit play and walking or cycling to school. Research suggests that changing the built environment is a promising strategy in fighting youth inactivity. This will be best achieved through the identification of features of the engineered environment that support or inhibit physical activity. Intervention is required through environmental, policy and legislative changes to make active choices easy.
AB - Regular participation in physical activity provides physical, social and mental benefits to young peoples' health and well-being; however, there is increasing concern that large numbers of children and adolescents are doing insufficient physical activity to obtain health benefits. The physical environment is a major factor in providing opportunities to be physically active. In order to plan, design and manage cities that make children happy and safe, it is paramount to consider how children experience their environment, and which specific features of the physical environment are related to their physical activity and consequently their health. This review proposes that physical activity has been engineered out of the daily lives of children through transportation systems, land-use patterns and neighbourhood designs that inhibit play and walking or cycling to school. Research suggests that changing the built environment is a promising strategy in fighting youth inactivity. This will be best achieved through the identification of features of the engineered environment that support or inhibit physical activity. Intervention is required through environmental, policy and legislative changes to make active choices easy.
KW - infrastructure planning
KW - public health
KW - town and city planning
U2 - 10.1680/muen.2007.160.2.103
DO - 10.1680/muen.2007.160.2.103
M3 - Article
VL - 160
SP - 103
EP - 109
JO - Proceedings of the ICE - Municipal Engineer
JF - Proceedings of the ICE - Municipal Engineer
SN - 0965-0903
IS - 2
ER -