Sprawl makes you fat

People who live in high-sprawl communities weigh more, according to a new study by Smart Growth America.

People who live in sprawling counties walk less and bike less.  They have higher weights and are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure. These results are true after controlling for factors such as age, education, gender, and race and ethnicity.

The study defines sprawling counties as "spread-out areas where homes are far from any other destination, and often the only route between the two may be on a busy high-speed arterial road that is unpleasant or even unsafe for biking or walking. People who live in these areas may find that driving is the most convenient way to get everything done, and they are less likely to have easy opportunities to walk, bicycle, or take transit as part of their daily routine."

Among other issues, the study notes that 18% of children walk or bike to school, versus 71% of adults who walked or biked to school. Now, think about the impact of moving the middle school from the middle of town to a development on the edge of town.