Urban planning linked to rising obesity levels
source: http://www.sinlung.com/?p=688
-
-
- sinlung
- added this
It’s not only unhealthy eating habits that contribute to bulging waistlines, but also our urban surroundings, says a new study.
The study led by scientists from University of Alberta has established a link between urban planning and rising obesity rates.
Researchers focused their study over two key areas- economic environments and built environments i.e. the ways in which the neighbourhoods and the cities we live in are planned and developed.
“When we reviewed the evidence we found, for example, that lower-income neighbourhoods were more likely to have greater access to sources of high-calorie foods, such as fast-food outlets, and lower access to supermarkets or other stores stocking healthy foods,” said Kim Raine, lead author and director of the University of Alberta’s Centre for Health Promotion Studies.
“The report also found that a lower socio-economic status—which involves education level, income and employment—was often associated with increased obesity among both adults and children.
“Lower personal income affects the affordability of food and that has been shown to have the most consistent influence on what people eat,” he added.
They also found that accessibility to recreational facilities in and around neighbourhoods had a significant impact on increasing obesity levels.
The study led by scientists from University of Alberta has established a link between urban planning and rising obesity rates.
Researchers focused their study over two key areas- economic environments and built environments i.e. the ways in which the neighbourhoods and the cities we live in are planned and developed.
“When we reviewed the evidence we found, for example, that lower-income neighbourhoods were more likely to have greater access to sources of high-calorie foods, such as fast-food outlets, and lower access to supermarkets or other stores stocking healthy foods,” said Kim Raine, lead author and director of the University of Alberta’s Centre for Health Promotion Studies.
“The report also found that a lower socio-economic status—which involves education level, income and employment—was often associated with increased obesity among both adults and children.
“Lower personal income affects the affordability of food and that has been shown to have the most consistent influence on what people eat,” he added.
They also found that accessibility to recreational facilities in and around neighbourhoods had a significant impact on increasing obesity levels.
-
- groups:
- Community, News and Politics, Green, Earth and Science, 1 more
-
- tags:
- News, News and Politics, Green, Earth and Science, 5 more
-
-
sabkl
-
I'm not surprised by this. I've always said that it is expensive to eat healthy. In areas of low socio-economic status, many things are managed poorly, from finances to time. Health is less important if your children are hungry and you didn't plan your day out to buy groceries and cook. So then it is just easier to go to the drive-thru. Also, like the article stated, there are no convenient markets with a more healthy variety of food. Then there is the complaint that healthy food has no taste if the palatte is used to eating foods high in fat and salt.
Eating and being healthy is a lifestyle change.
- 4 years ago
-
sabkl
