April 14, 2009 – Living less than a mile from a grocery store reduces the risk of being overweight, according to a University of British Columbia study that looked at the effects of town planning on style of life and the health of people1.
The results show that people who live near a grocery store are half as likely to be overweight compared to those who have to use their cars to get there.
If the neighborhood has several grocery stores nearby, that’s even better! Also according to the study, each additional grocery store within a radius of one kilometer or less reduces the risk of being overweight by 11%.
The results showed that people walked more in “traditional” neighborhoods where the streets are well-lit, where there are continuous sidewalks, as well as a variety of businesses, service establishments, schools and restaurants. parks nearby. According to the researchers, suburban-type amenities, on the contrary, lead people to drive more, especially for shopping, which increases the risk of being overweight.
More than 600 people, aged 15 years and over, took part in this study in which researchers compared their body mass index (BMI) and the proximity of shops to their residence.
Respond to this news in our blog Do your shopping on foot or by car?
Claudia Morissette – HealthPassport.net
1. The study is taken from the recent University of British Columbia report, Promoting physical activity through healthy community design: www.scarp.ubc.ca [Consulté le 14 avril 2009].
