Creating Places that Promote Physical Activity: Perceiving is Believing

The Active Living Research Creating Places that Promote Physical Activity: Perceiving is Believing research review examines the relationship between participation in physical activity and people’s perceptions of the aesthetics, safety, and comfort of public spaces.

The design and maintenance of neighborhoods, streets, and parks, and people’s perceptions of those places can affect physical activity in youth and adults.  For example, according to the research review, parent’s perception of neighborhood safety affects heir children’s activity levels, and people view aesthetics, defined as the visual appeal or pleasantness of an environment, as important, and aesthetics may affect how far and where children walk.

In order to promote physical activity and reduce obesity, communities should consider actual and perceived characteristics when designing spaces.