Using Video Cameras to Assess Physical Activity and Other Well-Being Behaviors in Urban Environments: Feasibility, Reliability, and Participant Reactivity Studies

Camera-based observation methods are more reliable than in-person observations and do not produce participant reactivity often associated with self-report methods. This method requires less time for data collection and coding, while allowing for safe nighttime observation without the risk to research staff. This research is a significant first step in demonstrating the potential for camera-based methods to improve natural experimental studies of real-world environmental interventions. It also provides a rigorous foundation for developing more scalable automated computer vision algorithms for assessing human behaviors.