Policy-maker Perspectives on Youth Health and the Built Environment: Focus Groups with Atlantic Canadian Planners

摘要

As obesity rates have climbed, the planning literature has identified possible connections between health and the built environment. This paper reports on the results of focus group discussions with planners and policy-members in Atlantic Canada, a region with high youth obesity rates. Planner participants showed limited knowledge of the way that planning and zoning policies could affect healthy eating options for youth. They believed that the built environment affected mobility outcomes but commonly attributed obesity to lifestyle choices. The research identifies the need for greater communication and collaboration amongst different government departments and levels to increase understanding of potential links between the built environment and health outcomes for youth.