environmental determinants of health - 24

what are 3 types of physical environment

• Topography

- Hills, mountains, coasts, forests, or bush

• Built environment

- Buildings and roads, public open spaces and parks

• Weather and climate

- Precipitation, temperature

what are 2 measurments of environment determinants

1) Subjective (Perceptions)

• Adult perceptions

• Parent/Child perceptions

2) Objective

• Direct observation

• Geographic information Systems (GIS)

what are the childrens perception of play and PA in their neighbourhoods

 168 children from 2 urban elementary schools in Edmonton (K-6)

 One school was located in a grid-style neighbourhood while the other was

located in a lollipop-style neighbourhood

 Children asked to draw mental maps of where they could play and be

physically active in their neighbourhood

- Images coded into 8 themes (e.g., active transportation, sports, playing around

home, etc.)

what are the physical environment correlate and PA for kids

what were the results from the Umbrella Systematic Review on Physical Environment Correlates and Physical Activity: Adults

what are the 4 relevant features of the food environment

1) Geographic food access

– refers to the geographic availability of different types of food stores

and restaurants.

• Proximity and the number

2) Food Availability

– actual foods that are available in someone’s neighbourhood

• Proximity and the amount

3) Food Affordability

– the cost of foods within a defined area

• Per person, between types of foods

4) Food Quality

– assessments of food quality

• Food quality does not mean nutritional quality

what did the canadian evidence show

• The majority of published Canadian evidence indicates that:

– a relationship exists between geographic food access and diet-related

health outcomes.

– the only food environment feature yet assessed in the Canadian context

check slides for pictures