Prioritizing a research agenda on built environments and physical activity: a twin panel Delphi consensus process with researchers and knowledge users.

BACKGROUND: The growth of urban dwelling populations globally has led to rapid increases of research and policy initiatives addressing associations between the built environment and physical activity (PA). Given this rapid proliferation, it is important to identify priority areas and research questions for moving the field forward. The objective of this study was to identify and compare research priorities on the built environment and PA among researchers and knowledge users (e.g., policy makers, practitioners). METHODS: Between September 2022 and April 2023, a three-round, modified Delphi survey was conducted among two independent panels of international researchers (n = 38) and knowledge users (n = 23) to identify similarities and differences in perceived research priorities on the built environment and PA and generate twin 'top 10' lists of the most important research needs. RESULTS: From a broad range of self-identified issues, both panels ranked in common the most pressing research priorities including stronger study designs such as natural experiments, research that examines inequalities and inequities, establishing the cost effectiveness of interventions, safety and injuries related to engagement in active transportation (AT), and considerations for climate change and climate adaptation. Additional priorities identified by researchers included: implementation science, research that incorporates Indigenous perspectives, land-use policies, built environments that support active aging, and participatory research. Additional priorities identified by knowledge users included: built environments and PA among people living with disabilities and a need for national data on trip chaining, multi-modal travel, and non-work or school-related AT. CONCLUSIONS: Five common research priorities between the two groups emerged, including (1) to better understand causality, (2) interactions with the natural environment, (3) economic evaluations, (4) social disparities, and (5) preventable AT-related injuries. The findings may help set directions for future research, interdisciplinary and intersectoral collaborations, and funding opportunities.

Physical activity strategies in low-resource elementary schools: Why and how are they prioritized?

Most US children do not achieve the recommended daily 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (PA). Schools are ideal settings to promote PA given their reach to large child populations, including students with less resources and limited access to PA opportunities. Although limited in numbers, schools that offer enough PA strategies can provide insights to increase PA in these settings. However, few studies have examined why and how these schools successfully prioritize PA strategies, particularly schools serving socioeconomically disadvantaged student populations. This qualitative study of low-resource, PA-supportive schools was conducted during 2017-2018 to obtain in-depth information about why and how schools make decisions to prioritize and implement PA strategies. Forty-two study participants in 17 states plus Washington DC were recruited. Content analysis revealed the following themes: (1) Schools prioritize PA because it helps advance learning and health goals; (2) Policies and standards for PA/PE reinforce the importance of PA; (3) A culture of learning and health advances decisions to offer PA; (4) Advocates play a key role in generating support to integrate PA; (5) Stakeholder buy-in enables decisions to offer PA opportunities; (6) Collaboration focused on PA specifically can facilitate decisions to increase PA strategies; and (7) Funding and resources drive decisions to put PA strategies into practice. The study findings offer insights that may be useful in efforts to increase access to PA opportunities in low-resource elementary schools.