Fat City: Questioning the Relationship between Urban Sprawl and Obesity Articles uri icon

authors

  • EID, JEAN
  • OVERMAN, HENRY G.
  • PUGA ., DIEGO
  • TURNER, MATTHEW A.

publication date

  • March 2008

start page

  • 385

end page

  • 404

issue

  • 2

volume

  • 63

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0094-1190

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1095-9068

abstract

  • We study the relationship between urban sprawl and obesity. Using data that tracks individuals over time, we find no evidence that urban sprawl causes obesity. We show that previous findings of a positive relationship most likely reflect a failure to properly control for the fact the individuals who are more likely to be obese choose to live in more sprawling neighborhoods. Our results indicate that current interest in changing the built environment to counter the rise in obesity is misguided.