Taru Manyanga

Dr. Taru Manyanga is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), within the Division of Medical Sciences. He holds a PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Ottawa and is a registered physical therapist. His research focuses on surveillance of movement behaviors (physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep) in healthy and clinical populations, particularly in rural/remote and resource-limited settings. He integrates clinical physical therapy with epidemiological approaches to develop lifestyle interventions promoting active, healthy living across lifespans.

Dr. Manyanga’s expertise includes global comparisons of movement behaviors in children/adolescents, with a focus on rural health equity. His work addresses environmental factors like climate change, neighborhood greenness, and urban design influencing physical activity. He collaborates internationally to improve surveillance systems and advocates for health policy equity through organizations like the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance.

His research outputs emphasize methodological advancements (e.g., developing global assessment tools like the YFIT battery and GAC-PAQ questionnaire) and synthesizing evidence on cardiorespiratory fitness impacts. He actively engages in policy-oriented scholarship, such as the 2025 Call to Action for Indigenization and equity in health research. His studies span diverse populations, from Canadian youth to Mozambican and Zimbabwean children, highlighting global health disparities.

Key contributions include meta-analyses linking neighborhood environments to mental health and analyses of worldwide obesity/underweight trends. Though no specific grants or labs are listed, his work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals and UNBC’s commitment to northern and rural community health. Currently accepting MSc Health Sciences students, he mentors future researchers in population health and physical activity promotion.