Participation Details

What's Involved?
Activity Meter Information
Other Information

What's Involved if I Decide to Participate?

• Completing a survey about your quality of life and how you perceive your neighborhood. The survey takes about 60 minutes to complete and includes questions on what you think of your neighborhood, your quality of life, health, health behaviors, and demographic information such as your age and gender.
• Wearing a small activity meter for seven days. The meter is about
  2" x 2", attaches to your belt, and measures general movement.
• Recording your trips (car, walking, bus, bike, etc.) in a pocket-sized diary over the same seven days that you wear the activity meter.
• Returning the activity meter and diary by mail in a postage paid packet.

Activity Meter Information

The activity meter is a small device you will be asked to wear for seven days. The meter attaches to your belt and measures movement, but does not indicate specific activities or locations. This device is battery-powered and water-resistant - there is no need to turn it on or off, and it should not be immersed in water. Specific instructions for using the activity meter:

• Wear the meter snugly around your waist, on the right side of your body. It can be worn over or under clothing.
• Wear the meter during all waking hours except while showering or bathing.
• Try not to change your usual activities over the seven day period.

Other Information

All correspondence is either in-person, by phone or by mail. Any mailing materials you might need will be provided. All information that is provided by participants will be kept strictly confidential.

If you are interested in receiving more information about the study, please email us at pabe@umd.edu or call (301) 405-8971. A member of our study team will be glad to answer your questions. You can also check the FAQs page for more information.