The renewed interest in urban form and public health: Promoting increased physical activity in Michigan

In 1996, with the release of the first report by the U.S. Surgeon General on physical activity and health, moderate physical activity was placed firmly on the U.S. public health agenda. Physical Activity and Health recommended moderate exercise five or more days per week or vigorous exercise three or more times per week, suggesting that Americans can be active simply by incorporating moderate activities like walking, cycling or yard-work into their daily routines. Within this context, urban planners and policy makers have recognized their potential role in shaping the urban built environment as one variable that might facilitate increased moderate physical activity among the American population. This article explores the explicit links that have been made between specific characteristics in the urban built environment and moderate physical activity. It also reviews current policy and procedures in Michigan that can influence change in urban development patterns as well as recent initiatives that have been introduced to promote moderate physical activity. Michigan is the focus since it is among the leading U.S. States in decentralization (with 60% of the population living in suburbs) and also in overweight and obesity prevalence (with over 60% of the population being either obese or overweight).