Built environment in programs to promote physical activity among Latino children and youth living in the United States and in Latin America

Olga Lucia Sarmiento*, Maria Alejandra Rubio, Abby King, Natalicio Serrano, Adriano Akira F. Hino, Ruth F. Hunter, Nicolas Aguilar-Farias, Diana C. Parra, Deborah Salvo, Alejandra Jáuregui, Rebecca E. Lee, Bill Kohl

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

To prevent obesity among Latino youth in the United States and Latin America, it is necessary to understand the specific context and interplay of physical activity
(PA) and the built environment (BE). This paper aims to advance the research agenda of BE and PA for obesity prevention in Latin America and among Latino youth in the United States by (1) identifying environmental indicators to inform the design of interventions and policy, (2) identifying interdisciplinary methodological approaches for the study of the complex association between BE and PA, and (3) presenting case studies of PA-promoting BE programs. A group of U.S. and Latin American scientists collaboratively worked to propose innovative indicators of the BE, methodological approaches for the study of the complex association between BE and PA, and review case studies of PA-promoting BE programs in both regions. The results identified gaps in knowledge, proposed environmental indicators (e.g., landscape, street design, mobility patterns, and crime and safety), reviewed methodological approaches (social network analysis, citizen science methods), and case studies illustrating PA-promoting BE programs (i.e., play streets, active school transport, and school setting interventions). The obesity prevention among Latino and Latin American youth requires advanced research on BE and PA addressing context-specific priorities and exchanging lessons learned.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere13236
Number of pages16
JournalObesity Reviews
Early online date06 Apr 2021
DOIs
Publication statusEarly online date - 06 Apr 2021

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