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

Abstract

Summary 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.

Childhood obesity prevention across borders: The promise of U.S.–Latin American research collaboration

“…12 Based on the social ecological framework, which nests individual behaviors (e.g., diet and physical activity) in various environments, 13 CEBF highlights the additional influences of social injustice, culture, and migration processes on each environment. Many of the articles throughout this special series, including built environment, 14 food environment, 15 social environment, 16 and migration 17 dive into a particular layer of the CEBF to understand the contextual influences that define the problem, the current research landscape, and the opportunities for cross border learning.…”

“…15,19 Similarly, the behavioral science-informed physical activity intervention research that has flourished in the United States could be more directly incorporated into dietary intervention programs occurring in both regions. 14…”

“…Some articles describe the social, food, and physical activity environments, which are key drivers of obesity and should be understood to design sound policy actions. [14][15][16] Other articles describe the state of research related to childhood obesity prevention in the U.S. and Latin American countries and indicators as well as methodology that have been useful for the design of interventions to improve the food and built environments. 21,34 Of particular interest is an article aimed at understanding the elements that led to success in the implementation at scale of obesity policies and programs in U.S. and Latin American countries using implementation science.…”

“…Furthermore, as illustrated in this supplement, much can be learned by the groundbreaking nutrition policy research that has been conducted successfully in Latin America that could be explored further in physical activity research occurring both in Latin America and the United States 15,19 . Similarly, the behavioral science‐informed physical activity intervention research that has flourished in the United States could be more directly incorporated into dietary intervention programs occurring in both regions 14 …”

“…Most articles in this supplement address issues related to the generation of policy‐relevant evidence for the design and evaluation of childhood obesity prevention interventions across borders. Some articles describe the social, food, and physical activity environments, which are key drivers of obesity and should be understood to design sound policy actions 14–16 . Other articles describe the state of research related to childhood obesity prevention in the U.S. and Latin American countries and indicators as well as methodology that have been useful for the design of interventions to improve the food and built environments 21,34 .…”