The study was part of an international collaboration across ten countries, aiming to characterise the links between place and adolescent health. We measured the strengths of association of the built environment with physical activity, sedentary behaviour, body size and community connectedness in 1,600 NZ adolescents (12-18) years.
The research findings will inform national and international urban design policy and interventions to support youth being more active and connected with their communities.
The AUT Human Potential Research Institute (then known as the Centre for Physical Activity & Nutrition (CPAN)), in collaboration with Massey University, the University of Auckland and the University of Otago, conducted a three-year project to explore the associations between body size and physical activity engagement in adults and children with built environment variables in their neighbourhoods.
The GPS-HRN was an international initiative led by members of the Centre for Physical Activity & Nutrition (now known as the AUT Human Potential Research Institute). The aim of the network was to provide a communication forum that enables GPS researchers to collaborate by posting latest news, equipment reviews and relevant publications.