If we build it: Promoting greenway use to increase physical activity - The Lean and Green in Motown project

African American and Latino residents of urban communities that have faced economic divestment often encounter environments with limited safe pedestrian routes, a barrier to physical activity that may contribute to disproportionate risk of obesity and cardiovascular disease. Locally funded efforts to develop greenways in Detroit will reach fruition 2006-2008, with several stretches opening as either newly constructed or enhanced bike paths or walkways. These greenways offer a focal point for interventions that promote health while building on existing community resources.

Lean and Green in Motown (LGM) is a community-based participatory research (CBPR) effort designed to support and track the effects of changes in the built environment on physical activity and dietary practices, contributors to cardiovascular health. In this presentation, we will describe LGM's collaboration with existing local groups to develop multilevel health promotion interventions along the greenway routes, and to evaluate their impact on health.

Specifically, we will describe the design of this multilevel intervention effort that incorporates greenway development and improvements, and individual and social support interventions to promote health in neighborhoods adjacent to the greenways. We will discuss methods used to track changes in greenway use and physical activity among residents, including survey data and systematic observational data. Finally, we will present preliminary results from the evaluation of these efforts and discuss lessons learned, next steps, and implications for multilevel initiatives to reduce obesity and promote cardiovascular health in urban communities.