Indicators of activity-friendly communities: an evidence-based consensus process.
BACKGROUND
Regular physical activity, even at modest intensities, is associated with many health benefits. Most Americans, however, do not engage in the recommended levels. As practitioners seek ways to increase population rates of physical activity, interventions and advocacy efforts are being targeted to the community level. Yet, advocates, community leaders, and researchers lack the tools needed to assess local barriers to and opportunities for more active, healthy lifestyles. Investigators used a systematic review process to identify key indicators of activity-friendly communities that can assess and improve opportunities for regular physical activity.


METHODS
Investigators conducted a comprehensive literature review of both peer-reviewed literature and fugitive information (e.g., reports and websites) to generate an initial list of indicators for review (n=230). The review included a three-tiered, modified Delphi consensus-development process that incorporated input of international, national, state, and local researchers and practitioners from academic institutions, federal and state government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and funding agencies in public health, transportation, urban planning, parks and recreation, and public policy.


RESULTS
Ten promising indicators of activity-friendly communities were identified: land use environment, access to exercise facilities, transportation environment, aesthetics, travel patterns, social environment, land use economics, transportation economics, institutional and organizational policies, and promotion.


CONCLUSIONS
Collaborative, multidisciplinary approaches are underway to test, refine, and expand this initial list of indicators and to develop measures that communities, community leaders, and policymakers can use to design more activity-friendly community environments.
Brennan Ramirez
Laura K
LK
Transtria LLC, St. Louis, Missouri 63139, USA. laura@transtria.com
Hoehner
Christine M
CM
Brownson
Ross C
RC
Cook
Rebeka
R
Orleans
C Tracy
CT
Hollander
Marla
M
Barker
Dianne C
DC
Bors
Philip
P
Ewing
Reid
R
Killingsworth
Richard
R
Petersmarck
Karen
K
Schmid
Thomas
T
Wilkinson
William
W
D032921:Consensus; D003697:Delphi Technique; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity; D011156:Population Density; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012931:Social Environment; D014186:Transportation; D014195:Travel