About Us
Active Living Research, a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation® (RWJF), stimulates and supports research to identify environmental factors and policies that influence physical activity for children and families to inform effective childhood obesity prevention strategies, particularly in low-income and racial/ethnic communities at highest risk. Active Living Research wants solid research to be part of the public debate about active living.
Read more about us.
Research Summaries & Briefs
Existing research from the fields of health, planning, and transportation is quite promising. We have summarized conclusions from the existing literature into various subject areas:
- Designing for Active Living Among Children
- Active Education: Physical Education, Physical Activity, and Academic Performance Brief
- Power of Trails for Promoting Physical Activity in Communities
- Economic Benefits of Open Space, Recreational Facilities, and Walkable Communities
- Park Proximity, park funding disparities, recreational resources, and disparities in park space
Download the research summaries.
A new research brief titled, Why We Should Not Cut P.E., shows evidence that eliminating P.E. to increase time for reading and math does not increase achievement. Used with permission.
Active Living Research Policy and Practice Impacts
Examples of ALR-related policy and practice impact stories that demonstrate the important role that scientific evidence plays in influencing policy-making, practice, and advocacy in different areas, including transportation, schools, planning and design, and parks and recreation. The stories describe how ALR-funded studies or ALR National Program Office activities or products have contributed to informing policy and/or practice.
Fast Facts
Policy-Related Case Studies
In its fourth round of funding, Active Living Research awarded grants to case studies of community efforts to change environments or policies that are relevant for active living. Single and multiple case studies funded under this round are focused on either the policy change process or policy innovations.
One-page policy briefs highlighting the results of these case studies were published in the February 2007 issue of Planning Magazine. All 11 case studies are available for download in one PDF document.
Download all policy briefs: Models for Change: Lessons for Creating Active Living Communities [pdf]
Other Resources
NEW Webinar: Policy and Environmental Strategies to Promote Healthy Eating and Active Living in Native American Communities: Active Living Research partnered with the Association of American Indian Physicians to present a webinar on strategies to promote healthy eating and active living in tribal communities. The webinar emphasized policy and environmental approaches to improve access to healthier foods and resources for physical activity. Presentations addressed challenges faced by tribal communities and how some communities have successfully implemented policies or environmental changes to improve nutrition and exercise. The webinar includes information about funding opportunities available for community-based health projects. In addition to viewing the entire webinar, each presenter's presentation is available: ALR Resources; Active Living in Oklahoma; and White Earth Wellness Project.
The RWJF Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity helps shape and coordinate the efforts of policy makers, advocates and community organizations by identifying and promoting the most promising obesity-prevention strategies and supporting the nationwide movement to improve food and physical activity environments.
On May 15, 2008, Active Living Research sponsored the Biking Your Way to a Healthier Community congressional briefing, which was co-hosted by the Congressional Bike Caucus and the Congressional Fitness Caucus. Three ALR grantees, Garry Young, PhD, Jennifer Dill, PhD, and Angie Cradock, ScD spoke on various aspects of bicycling and transportation policy. In attendance and also speaking were Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Congressman Tom Petri (R-WI), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Bike Caucus. A complete summary of the briefing, including policy points, are available.
Leadership for Healthy Communities (LHC) is a National Initiative supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) developed to support government leaders as they create and promote policies, programs, and places that support healthy community environments and enable active living and healthy eating to improve the health, well-being and vitality of communities.
LHC's Action Strategies Toolkit offers practical examples of policy approaches and resources that can help state and local policy-makers prevent childhood obesity and improve children's health.
Healthy Transportation Network supports local elected officials and city managers in California to create more walkable and bike-friendly communities.
The Local Government Commission (LGC) is a nonprofit organization working to build livable communities.
The Synthesis Project is an initiative of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to produce concise and thought-provoking briefs and reports that translate research findings on perennial health policy questions. Slides are available from an April 2007 audioconference and web briefing titled The Built Environment and Physical Activity: What is the Relationship?
Balance: A Report on State Action to Promote Nutrition, Increase Physical Activity and Prevent Obesity, July 2006. The nation's lawmakers have realized the severity of the obesity epidemic and are promoting initiatives to improve the health of their constituents. This report by the Health Policy Tracking Service provides insight into state action in key areas such as school nutrition, body mass index monitoring, access to safe walking, biking and recreation, and more.
Balance: A Report on State Action to Promote Nutrition, Increase Physical Activity and Prevent Obesity, October 2006. The second edition of the BALANCE report reviews recent reports by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Institute of Medicine (IOM). In addition, the report reviews recent food and beverage industry actions and marketing strategies.
Active Living for Rural Youth Research & Policy Brief
PolicyArchive has created a free, comprehensive, online archive of public policy research. PolicyArchive enables publishers to upload their own research and make it freely available to legislators, policymakers, scholars, citizens and others. The site contains summaries and full texts of research, a subject index, an internal search engine, research synopses, sign-up newsletters and email notifications of new research.
The Relationship between Physical Activity, Weight, and Academic Achievement is a report from the Safe Routes to School National Partnership that highlights evidence suggesting a positive relationship between physical activity and grade point average, rate of learning, classroom behavior, as well as cognitive, social, and motor skill development.
Trailnet's Healthy, Active, & Vibrant Community Toolkit is full of useful case studies, policy recommendations, and funding resources to help promote healthy and active living in communities.
Health and Transportation Policy Forum is a resource for advocates, scientists, policy makers, and the general public who are interested in the intersections between transportation planning and health. The site provides information about research on the use of transportation policy-making to promote healthy communities.
Talk to an Expert
A referral network of authorities on specific active living topics is available. Feel free to contact these Active Living Research grantees with questions about their research and/or other general items related to active living.
We Want to Hear From You
If you are a policy maker or advocate who has used our findings to inform your work, we would like to know. Please contact Debbie Lou and tell us which information you used and how it contributed to your organization's mission.
