Prior physical activity research has examined how micro-level features of the built environment, such as sidewalk presence, street connectivity, and landscape design may help create more activity-friendly environments. This study by University of North Carolina researchers goes a step further by looking at the relationships between macro-level characteristics of cities—such as regional land-use polices, area growth, transportation policies, infrastructure investments—and physical activity/obesity over time. The study will use a variety of quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis to examine 63 U.S. Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) from 1987-2002 and 75 North Carolina counties in 2002. The purpose of this research is to inform policy recommendations that will make built environments more amendable to active lifestyles.