Obesity and Sprawl Correlation Found in Australia

A new study from the University of New South Wales has outlined a connection that suggests living farther away from central cities results in higher rates of obesity.

1 minute read

December 21, 2008, 5:00 AM PST

By Nate Berg

"University of NSW researchers, in conjunction with the NSW Department of Health, examined residents in 40 local government areas across Sydney."

"They found those living in the outer suburbs were 30 to 50 per cent more at risk of being overweight and 40 to 60 per cent less likely to be physically active than their inner-city counterparts."

"Professor Jalaludin said the lack of urban development in more sparsely populated areas meant people were less encouraged to walk."

"'We hypothesised that areas with greater population density had more mixed land use and commercial development, which means more places to walk to,' he said."

"The study also connected car use in sprawling areas to obesity."

FULL STORY: How city living fights the waistband sprawl

Saturday, December 13, 2008 in Sydney Morning Herald

Land Use Australia Sprawl Public Health

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