Objective. There is evidence linking the built environment (BE) with physical activity (PA), but few studies
have been conducted in Latin America (LA). State-of-the-art methods and protocols have been designed in and
applied in high-income countries (HIC). In this paper, we identify key challenges and potential solutions to
conducting high-quality PA and BE research in LA.
Methods. The experience of implementing the IPEN data collection protocol (IPEN: International Physical
Activity Environment Network) in Curitiba, Brazil; Bogotá, Colombia; and Cuernavaca, Mexico (2010–2011); is
described to identify challenges for conducting PA and BE research in LA.
Results. Five challenges were identified: lack of academic capacity (implemented solutions (IS): building a
strong international collaborative network); limited data availability, access and quality (IS: partnering with
influential local institutions, and crafting creative solutions to use the best-available data); socio-political,
socio-cultural and socio-economic context (IS: in-person recruitment and data collection, alternative incentives);
safety (IS: strict rules for data collection procedures, and specific measures to increase trust); and appropriateness
of instruments and measures (IS: survey adaptation, use of standardized additional survey components,
and employing a context-based approach to understanding the relationship between PA and the BE). Advantages
of conducting PA and BE research in LA were also identified.
Conclusions. Conducting high-quality PA and BE research in LA is challenging but feasible. Networks of institutions
and researchers from both HIC and LMIC play a key role. The lessons learned from the IPEN LA study may
be applicable to other LMIC.