Originally published September 4 2005
People living in green areas are less likely to be obese, research shows
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Research shows that people leaving in greener, more tree-dense environments are more likely to exercise and keep themselves fit.
People who live in areas with little greenery and lots of litter and graffiti may be up to 50% more likely to be obese as residents of neighborhoods with an abundance of trees and clean, open space.
More than 1.2 billion people in the world are officially classified as overweight, according to the World Health Organization.
Much of that is blamed on the imbalance between excess calories being consumed and little physical activity.
The authors of a new study think the problem may have a lot to do with whether or not we live in a pleasant environment.
"There is growing recognition that, independent of individual characteristics, place of residence may be associated with health outcomes, including body size and health related behaviors, such as level of physical exercise.
Incorporating data from the LARES study (Large Analysis of European Housing and Health Status), conducted in 2002-2003 in eight European cities, they created a questionnaire to capture data reported by occupants on their overall health, including self-assessed height and weight.
The information was then used to calculate participants' body mass index (BMI -- an indirect measure of body fat) and level of physical activity.
They conducted face-to-face interviews to find out about the participants' dwellings and physical surroundings.
Using an inspection sheet, trained surveyors assessed their immediate residential environment.
Criteria included the amount of graffiti, litter, and dog excrement, as well as the amount of greenery and vegetation visible from the dwelling and from the streets immediately surrounding it.
"For participants whose residential environment contains high levels of greenery, the likelihood of being more physically active is more than three times as high, and the likelihood of being overweight and obese is about 40% less.
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