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Health scientists and urban planners have long been interested in the influence that the built environment has on the physical activities in which we engage, the environmental hazards we face, the kinds of amenities we enjoy, and the resulting impacts on our health. However, it is widely recognized that the extent of this influence, and the specific cause-and-effect relationships that exist, are still relatively unclear. Recent reviews highlight the need for more individual-level data on daily activities (especially physical activity) over long periods of time linked spatially to real-world characteristics of the built environment in diverse settings, along with a wide range of personal mediating variables. While capturing objective data on the built environment has benefited from wide-scale availability of detailed land use and transport network databases, the same cannot be said of human activity. A more diverse history of data collection methods exists for such activity and continues to evolve owing to a variety of quickly emerging wearable sensor technologies. At present, no “gold standard” method has emerged for assessing physical activity type and intensity under the real-world conditions of the built environment; in fact, most methods have barely been tested outside of the laboratory, and those that have tend to experience significant drops in accuracy and reliability. This paper provides a review of these diverse methods and emerging technologies, including biochemical, self-report, direct observation, passive motion detection, and integrated approaches. Based on this review and current needs, an integrated three-tiered methodology is proposed, including: (1) passive location tracking (e.g., using global positioning systems); (2) passive motion/biometric tracking (e.g., using accelerometers); and (3) limited self-reporting (e.g., using prompted recall diaries). Key development issues are highlighted, including the need for proper validation and automated activity-detection algorithms. The paper ends with a look at some of the key lessons learned and new opportunities that have emerged at the crossroads of urban studies and health sciences.

We do have a vision for a world in which people can walk to shops, school, friends' homes, or transit stations; in which they can mingle with their neighbors and admire trees, plants, and waterways; in which the air and water are clean; and in which there are parks and play areas for children, gathering spots for teens and the elderly, and convenient work and recreation places for the rest of us. (Frumkin, Frank, & Jackson, 2004, p. xvii)

The purpose of this paper is to explore the perceived causes of lifestyle and weight changes among first-generation East/Southeast Asians and Hispanics after resettlement in Canada.

Semi-structured interviews with study participants (n=100) and local health professionals (n=6) were conducted. Prominent response themes were identified through a content analysis.

The most common theme was the exposure to an obesogenic environment, such as the more pervasive diffusion of unhealthy food options. Hispanic participants were more likely to report the acquisition of unhealthy food practices and struggled more to maintain their traditional food habits. Time constraints, mostly due to working long hours, were the second most common theme, as participants had little time for making healthier lifestyle choices. The cold weather was considered as a contributor to obesity-leading behaviors and mood disorders. Hispanic respondents were more likely to describe settlement-induced psychological stressors and often compensated feelings of depression and isolation by eating emotionally and increasing the consumption of comfort foods. Weight increases were more likely within the first five years of arrival.

Preventive efforts should include social integration strategies to counter depression, and provide recommendations on feeding times and sleeping habits. Interventions should pay particular attention to Hispanics and recent newcomers.

This study enhanced the understanding of the causes of obesity disparities in Canada by suggesting that the higher prevalence of overweight and obesity among Hispanics may be due to their particular risk of unhealthy dietary and mental health transitions.