Grant: Doctoral Award - Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarships

There has been a large increase in the prevalence of obesity in Canadian youth over the past 3 decades. Within youth, obesity is related to several short and long term health risks. To develop optimal prevention strategies, we need to understand the factors that contribute to obesity within youth. There is increasing research interest regarding the impact of the built environment on obesity and its causal behaviours (physical inactivity, poor diet). The built environment refers to features within neighbourhoods such as food retailers and recreational facilities which may affect health behaviours. The objective of this research project will be to 1) develop refined measures of components of the built environment that are important for young Canadians, and 2) to examine if geographical factors such as urban/rural status modify the relationship between the built environment and its causal behaviours. Results from this project will be able help plan public health interventions and create policy aimed at decreasing obesity and its related health problems among Canadian youth.