ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the policy responses to the public health priority of preventing obesity and promoting healthy weights. Strategic planning targeting transport systems, land use planning and design are necessary to initiate and maintain environmental changes that support physical activity (PA) and active living. Intersectoral collaboration is needed to exploit the full potential of human-powered mobility and long-term investment and commitment are required to change social attitudes, perceptions and norms to increase the traditionally low levels of active commuting. The New Urbanism movement is a coalition of architects and planners embracing the design of the compact traditional neighbourhood characterized by higher population and building densities and mixed land uses. Promoting physical activity should be linked to overall strategies to reduce social inequalities in health. Creating supportive environments will need to encompass other strategies addressing the individual and social environmental determinants of physical activity and healthy body weights.
