The article discusses the role of built environments in promoting physical activity, preventing obesity, and reducing cardiovascular diseases (CVD). It highlights that in industrialized nations like the United States and Sweden, most adults do not meet the recommended physical activity guidelines, which increases their risk of chronic diseases. The authors emphasize the importance of considering the built environment, including parks, recreational facilities, and transportation infrastructure, in interventions aimed at improving physical activity levels. The article outlines an ecological model of behavior, which identifies multiple levels of influence on behavior, from individual and social factors to institutional, community, built environment, and policy factors. It argues that interventions should target these levels simultaneously to be most effective. The built environment, including the availability and quality of parks, recreational facilities, and transportation options, has been shown to influence physical activity and obesity rates. Key findings from the literature include: - Proximity to parks and recreational facilities is positively associated with physical activity. - Active transportation, such as walking and biking, is influenced by the design and accessibility of the built environment. - Racial and ethnic minorities and low-income communities often face disparities in access to supportive built environments. - Interventions targeting the built environment, such as creating safe routes to schools and improving bicycle facilities, have shown positive effects on physical activity and obesity. The article concludes by recommending comprehensive interventions that address the built environment and policies to promote physical activity and improve health outcomes. It emphasizes the need for collaboration across diverse sectors and disciplines to implement effective changes in communities.The article discusses the role of built environments in promoting physical activity, preventing obesity, and reducing cardiovascular diseases (CVD). It highlights that in industrialized nations like the United States and Sweden, most adults do not meet the recommended physical activity guidelines, which increases their risk of chronic diseases. The authors emphasize the importance of considering the built environment, including parks, recreational facilities, and transportation infrastructure, in interventions aimed at improving physical activity levels. The article outlines an ecological model of behavior, which identifies multiple levels of influence on behavior, from individual and social factors to institutional, community, built environment, and policy factors. It argues that interventions should target these levels simultaneously to be most effective. The built environment, including the availability and quality of parks, recreational facilities, and transportation options, has been shown to influence physical activity and obesity rates. Key findings from the literature include: - Proximity to parks and recreational facilities is positively associated with physical activity. - Active transportation, such as walking and biking, is influenced by the design and accessibility of the built environment. - Racial and ethnic minorities and low-income communities often face disparities in access to supportive built environments. - Interventions targeting the built environment, such as creating safe routes to schools and improving bicycle facilities, have shown positive effects on physical activity and obesity. The article concludes by recommending comprehensive interventions that address the built environment and policies to promote physical activity and improve health outcomes. It emphasizes the need for collaboration across diverse sectors and disciplines to implement effective changes in communities.