Method for Observing pHysical Activity and Wellbeing (MOHAWk): validation of an observation tool to assess physical activity and other wellbeing behaviours in urban spaces

ABSTRACT

Direct observation of behaviour offers an unobtrusive method of assessing physical activity in urban spaces, which reduces biases associated with self-report. However, there are no existing observation tools that: (1) assess other behaviours that are important for people’s wellbeing beyond physical activity; (2) are suitable for urban spaces that typically have lower numbers of users (e.g. amenity green spaces) or that people pass through (e.g. green corridors); and (3) have been validated in Europe. MOHAWk (Method for Observing pHysical Activity and Wellbeing) is a new observation tool for assessing three levels of physical activity (Sedentary, Walking, Vigorous) and two other evidence-based wellbeing behaviours (Connect: social interactions; Take Notice: taking notice of the environment) in urban spaces. Across three studies, we provide evidence that MOHAWk is reliable and valid from 156 hours of observation by six observers in five urban spaces in the UK. MOHAWk can be used in policy or practice (e.g. by local authorities or developers), or in more formal institutional based research projects. This new tool is an inexpensive and easy-to-use method of generating wellbeing impact evidence in relation to the urban physical or social environment. A manual providing detailed instruction on how to use MOHAWk is provided.

KEYWORDS:

• Physical activity
• wellbeing
• measurement
• systematic observation
• unobtrusive measures
• urban spaces

This article is related to:

Research for city practice

Acknowledgements

Study 2 formed part of the wider Green Infrastructure and the Health and Wellbeing influences on an Ageing Population (GHIA) project (2016–2019) www.ghia.org.uk; which was set up to investigate how urban green space influences the health and wellbeing of older adults. It enables researchers from a diverse range of academic specialisms to work with a variety of partners and organisations in Greater Manchester, including Manchester City Council (MCC), Red Rose Forest (City of Trees), The Canal and River Trust, Manchester Climate Change, Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisation (GMCVO) and Public Health Manchester.

The authors would like to acknowledge the following (in no particular order): Dave Barlow, Manchester City Council Senior Policy Officer for assisting in obtaining ethical approval; Michele Bryans, Connswater Community Greenway Manager for her help in facilitating Study 3; and, Sophie King and Cormac Coulter for assisting with observations.

Declarations

Ethics approval for Study 1 was granted by the University Research Ethics Committee (UREC) at The University of Manchester, REC reference number 2017–1119–1920. Ethics approval for Study 2 was granted by the University Research Ethics Committee (UREC) at The University of Manchester, REC reference number 2017–0064–3337. Ethics approval for Study 3 was granted by the University Research Ethics Committee (UREC) at The University of Manchester, REC reference number 2018–4346–6733.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed here

Availability of data and materials

Data from all three studies are only available on reasonable request from the corresponding author. All materials required to use MOHAWk are included in Supplementary files 1, 2 and 3. Any other study materials are available by directly contacting the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

JB is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council as part of the North-West Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (ES/P000665/1) Study 2 was carried out as part of the Green infrastructure and the Health and wellbeing Influences on an Ageing population (GHIA) project. Funders: Natural Environment Research Council, the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Economic and Social Research Council under the Valuing Nature Programme (NE/N013530/1) Economic and Social Research Council [ES/P000665/1].

Notes on contributors

Jack S. Benton

Jack S. Benton is a PhD student at the University of Manchester.

Jamie Anderson

Jamie Anderson is a Research Associate at the University of Manchester and Senior Sustainability Consultant at Buro Happold.

Margaret Pulis

Margaret Pulis was an undergraduate student at the University of Manchester at the time of Study 1.

Sarah Cotterill

Sarah Cotterill is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester.

Ruth F. Hunter

Ruth F. Hunter is a Lecturer at Queen’s University Belfast.

David P. French

David P.. French is a Professor of Health Psychology at the University of Manchester.