Frequently Asked Questions

Why are you doing this study?
How do I participate in the study?
Do I have to come to the University of Maryland campus for the interview?
I work full time - can I still participate in the study?
Am I eligible to participate in the study?
Can more than one person from a household participate?
What does the activity meter do?
What is physical activity?
I have more questions. How do I get them answered?

Why are you doing this study?
Our study team is interested in learning how the built environment promotes or discourages an active lifestyle. By studying different neighborhood types we hope to better document and understand the relationship between the built environment and physical activity. We also hope to learn whether individuals seek out a built environment conducive to physical activity when deciding where to live.

How do I participate in the study?
If you are willing and eligible to participate in the study, we will first ask you to meet with a member of our team to complete an in-person survey. The survey will take about 60 minutes and includes questions about your neighborhood, both its actual features and your feelings about living there. During the interview your height and weight will also be measured (in private). After the survey, you will be asked to:

1. Wear a pager-sized activity meter around your waist during waking hours for seven days, and;
2. Record your daily trips (car, bus, walking, bicycling) for the same seven days in a pocket-sized diary.

Do I have to come to the University of Maryland campus for the interview?
No. We have a number of public sites set up for interviews in various locations in Montgomery County, and can also arrange for an at home or at work interview. We will try to accommodate your preferences in terms of scheduling a time and location for the interview.

I work full time - can I still participate in the study?
Yes. Interviews can be scheduled in the evenings or on Saturdays. We will work around your schedule.

Am I eligible to participate in the study?
Thank you for your interest in our study! In order to participate, you must be at least 18 years of age, speak English, be able to walk unassisted for at least 20 minutes, and be able to complete an in-person survey.

You must also live within one of the 5 study zones in Montgomery County, MD. Please follow the links below to maps of the study zones to see if your neighborhood is included:

1) Bethesda / Chevy Chase study zone
2) Forest Glen study zone
3) Four Corners study zone
4) Layhill / Aspen Hill study zone
5) Olney study zone

If you do live in one of these areas, you can email us at pabe@umd.edu or call (301) 405-8971 for more information. A member of our team will ask you a few simple questions.

Can more than one person from a household participate?
No. For statistical reasons, we can only survey one person per household.

What does the activity meter do?
The activity meter is a simple, battery-operated device. It records overall movement - whether you are moving or still. The activity monitor does not record where you are, nor can it tell what particular activity you are doing. If you’d like more information on the meter visit http://actigraph.mtifwb.com.

What is physical activity?
Physical activity is how you move your body. Some physical activity is very strenuous, such as running or bicycling uphill. Other physical activities are more moderate, like walking or biking at a comfortable speed.

I have more questions. How do I get them answered?
Contact the Physical Activity and Built Environment Study staff anytime at pabe@umd.edu or (301) 405-8971. We'll be happy to answer any other questions you might have.