Latest Findings on Built Environments and Physical Activity in Diverse Countries: IPEN

摘要

Evidence of environmental correlates of physical activity from many countries is needed to guide international environmental change efforts, but international evidence is limited. The International Physical Activity and Environment Network (IPEN) was developed to support and coordinate studies in numerous countries. The symposium highlighted new studies from investigators in the IPEN network. About 12 countries are participating in a coordinated study that features common designs and measures. Associations between built environments and walking found previously in a few countries were shown to generalize to 4 Japanese cities and a Canadian city with extremely cold weather. A UK study showed that IPEN-related studies can produce additional benefits of helping to explain why some areas have high rates of chronic disease, and this information can help target preventive services. Growing international evidence can guide policy changes within countries and internationally to create built environments that are more supportive of physical activity.