Move in May: Combined Built Environment Features Help Communities Get Active

Move in May: Combined Built Environment Features Help Communities Get Active

Combined Built Environment Features Help Communities Get Active

Today, The Community Preventive Services Task Force released a new recommendation for combined built environment approaches to increase physical activity. These approaches combine new or enhanced transportation systems (e.g., pedestrian and cycling paths) with new or enhanced land use design (e.g., proximity to a store, access to a public park) to promote physical activity among residents.

What are Built Environment Intervention Approaches? Built environment intervention approaches to increase physical activity create or modify environmental characteristics in a community to make physical activity easier or more accessible. Transportation system interventions include one or more policies or projects designed to increase or improve the following: Street connectivity Sidewalk and trail infrastructure Bicycle infrastructure Public transit infrastructure and access Land use and environmental design interventions include one or more policies, designs, or projects to create or enhance the following: Mixed land use environments that increase the diversity and proximity of local destinations where people live, work, and spend their recreation and leisure time Access to parks, and other public or private recreational facilities

Why is the Task Force Recommendation Important?

Despite the benefits, less than half of all adults, and 3 in 10 high school students in the United States, get the recommended daily amounts of physical activity.

Regular physical activity is one of the most important things people can do for their health. It can help individuals:

• Control weight
• Reduce risk of cardiovascular disease
• Reduce risk for type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome
• Reduce risk of some cancers
• Strengthen bones and muscles
• Improve mental health and mood

For More Information

The Benefits of Physical Activity

The Community Guide

Increasing Physical Activity: Built Environment Approaches Combining Transportation System Interventions with Land Use and Environmental Design

One Pager: Built Environment Approaches to Increase Physical Activity 

Physical Activity: Creating or Improving Places for Physical Activity

Physical Activity: Point-of-Decision Prompts to Encourage Use of Stairs