But it's MY choice!

It's not a secret that we don't move as much during our daily activities as we used to, the popular question is why not?  Active Living Research, a national program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, produced a summary of a portion of their research called Active Living Among Adults. Below, I cover the topics that pertain to my project.

Over the past five decades, people have begun to use less energy on work, transportation, and household activities. And in turn, sedentary habits, such as driving and screen entertainment, have become more prominent in today’s society. More that 95% of adults do not meet the recommended amount of daily physical activity, and 66% of American adults are overweight or obese.

Personal choice is not the only factor in the level of personal physical activity. Design of the built environment can either enhance or inhibit physical activity in a community. According to the CDC, “creating, improving and promoting places to be physically active can result in a 25 percent increase in the percentage of residents who exercise at least three times per week.”

In addition, if changes were made in zoning and development regulation and there was more of an investment in transportation, more walkable communities would be encouraged, despite social trends that have caused a decrease in physical activity. Communities with sidewalks, bike lanes, and trails have also seen a definite increase in physical activity than those without. Also, people are more likely to walk or bike to their destination if they have a variety of destinations close to their home. These connections are seen more often in low income areas than in areas with high socioeconomic standing.

Creating an Environmentally Responsible College Campus

The main reason for this research project is to determine if there is a way to encourage sustainable student behavior on a college campus.  Lots of campuses are moving toward more sustainable practices, such as energy efficient buildings, but these practices aren’t always translated into a more environmentally responsible student body.  Over the course of the next two semesters, I will develop and conduct a survey with students at Texas A&M.  It will focus on their attitudes toward general green behavior and the best green practices on a college campus.  I believe a compromise can be reached between the student responses and green practices to creates a campus environment that encourages a more sustainable student body.