Invitation to Ph.D. defence by Anders Knørr Lyseen, Department of Development and Planning, Aalborg Universitet.
Application of spatial behaviour in assessing food environment influence on health
– Integrating behaviour tracking with health, demographic and spatial data
The defence takes place on Thursday April 28th, 2016 at 13.00 – 16.00 at Aalborg University Copenhagen, A. C. Meyers Vænge 15, 2450 Copenhagen SV, room ACM 15 C3/2.3.004.
Abstract
This study examines the application of spatial behaviour data in measuring exposure to the food environment. Second, the availability and integration of spatial data, demographic data and health data are examined. The socio-ecological model is used to provide a framework that demonstrates how different elements of society interact to shape individuals’ eating and physical activity behaviours.
In conclusion, this thesis shows that ‘neighbourhood’ clearly is a diffuse and blurred concept that varies in meaning depending on each person’s perception and the study be ing conducted. Complexity and heterogeneity of human mobility no longer appear to correspond to the use of
residential neighbourhoods; rather, these aspects of mobility emphasise the need for methods, concepts and measures of individual activity and exposure. The broad perspective of the socioecological model of obesity makes determination of relevant variables very complex. However,
obtaining accurate and reliable data can be a lengthy and expensive process — one that is often confounded by privacy and confidentiality requirements, which need to be balanced against the need for high-quality analysis. Obtaining an overview of the available health data suitable for spatial applications is not easy.
Assessment Committee
Professor, Dr. Hardy Pundt, Department of Automation and Computer Science, Harz University of Applied Sciences, Germany.
Professor (tenure track), PhD Tuuli Toivonen, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Associate Professor, PhD Lars Bodum (Chairman), Department of Development and Planning, Aalborg University, Denmark.
Supervisors
Professor, dr. scient. Henning Sten Hansen, Department of Development and Planning, Aalborg University, Denmark.
Professor, PhD Bent Egberg Mikkelsen, Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Denmark.
After the defence the department will host a reception at A. C. Meyers Vænge 15, room ACM 15 D3/2.3.124. Please send an e-mail to Birthe Lund Nørskov birthe@land.aau.dk, not later than April 24, if you plan to attend the defence and the reception.
