High rates of obesity found in car-centric neighbourhoods
Study discovers unhealthy link
We’re fat and our car-centric city is partly to blame.
People living in neighbourhoods where they need a car to run errands or get to work are more likely to be overweight or obese, according to a Statistics Canada study released this week.
The study looked for a link between obesity rates and walkable neighbourhoods, measured by Street Smart Walk Score.
“The closer the things that we need — such as a grocery store or bank — are to home or work, the more likelihood we’ll make a healthy choice to take an active way to get there,” said Cathy Copot-Nepszy, who promotes healthy living for the Windsor Essex County Health Unit.
Essex County is very car-dependent, with Amherstburg and LaSalle marked lowest in the area.
In Windsor, the most walkable neighbourhoods are the city’s core, South Central and Walkerville.
“We try to walk a lot,” said Brian Deschamps. He and his son Latham, 8, listed places within walking distance of their Walkerville home: the grocery store, the hair salon, school, the walking trail.
“I think it’s one of the reasons we live here, because we like the idea of exercise,” Deschamps said.
The Statistics Canada study found that people in all neighbourhoods have similar levels of physical activity for fun; people are as likely to play soccer or go for a recreational walk in a car-dependent neighbourhood. When it comes to walking to run an errand, people are more likely to do that if they live in a neighbourhood with stores and places they need to go close by.
Windsor’s least walkable neighbourhoods include Malden, Sandwich South and East Riverside.
Andrew Dowie, policy analyst for the City of Windsor, said it’s not surprising that areas without sidewalks and in residential neighbourhoods are less walkable.
He said the city tends to focus on improving healthy transit options on well-travelled roads. But residents can still make recommendations to 311, helping the city assess where those changes are needed.
Having many people choosing active methods of transportation can also reduce traffic and improve safety, he said.
Copot-Nepszy said there are still many ways those living in less walkable neighbourhoods can be active.
“One thing research tells us is don’t overwhelm yourself and do something you like,” she said. “If you hate riding a bike, don’t do that. That’s not going to inspire you.”
She said people should try to incorporate activity into their workday, for example taking a walk at lunchtime.
It’s a matter of changing your mindset — and your lifestyle.
“It’s finding that balance of food in and energy out,” she said. “Active living becomes a part of your mindset. If you wake up in the morning and look at what you have to do before you leave the house — brush teeth, eat breakfast, have clothes on — being active can become a necessity.”