The design of neighbourhoods and that of individual buildings have been examined in relation to their contribution to obesogenic environments.

As suggested in our Planning section traditional neighbourhoods which have plenty of local amenities (land-use mix) and good routes between these (connectivity) and local housing may encourage people to and/or cycle more. There are, however, many other aspects of design which may influence people’s willingness to get out and about.

Perceptions of safety for example have been shown to be a key factor in encouraging outdoor activity least for certain groups in society [1,2]. In turn peoples’ perception of places is influenced by their design. Places which look uncared for, neglected and vandalised for example will deter people from using them.

On the other hand places which are perceived as attractive will encourage use [3]. One aspect which may be important is the quality and appeal of landscaping and green spaces; building on research which has shown the positive effects landscape can have on human health and well-being. Studies have shown for example that green, attractive neighbourhoods may well encourage more active travel [4].

The design of neighbourhoods can also provide, or deprive, children with suitable active play spaces. Here some traditionally held assumptions are being challenged, for example it is now thought that suburban cul-de-sacs once thought to provide ideal play space may actually hinder older children from natural exploring due to their disconnected networks and the fast distributor roads they encourage [5].

Finally some aspects of design can also be measured. Apart from land-sue mix and connectivity, another factor that may be influential is density (i.e. the number of dwelling, or people, living per hectare). Early studies condemned low density suburbia as encouraging car-reliance and adding to obesogenic behaviour. However, more recent work has suggested that while increasing densities does have many positive impacts, for example, encouraging lively streets, it does not in itself necessarily encourage exercise [6].  

The design of building interiors may also be influential, for examples factors such as the position and attractiveness of stairwells influences their use, as opposed to lift use. Other key factors such as the provision of shower facilities, attractive changing rooms and secured bicycle storage can also have a marked influence on active travel to work.

Townshend TG, Lake AA, Ogilvie JA

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (1999) Neighbourhood             Safety and the Prevalence of Physical Inactivity - Selected States,    1996. Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report, 48: p 143-146
2. Shenassa, E.D., Liebhaber, A. & Ezeamama, A. (2006) Perceived    Safety of Residence and Exercise: A Pan-European Study, American     Journal of Epidemiology, 163: 1012-1017.
3. Humpel, N., Owen, N., Iverson, D et al (2004) Perceived Environmental    Attributes, Residential Location and Walking for Particular Purpose,          American Journal of Preventative Medicine, 26: p 119-125
4. Tilt,  J, Unfried, T.M. & Roca, B (2007) Using Objective and subjective     Measures of Neighborhood Greenness and Accessible Destinations for         Understanding Walking Trips and BMI in Seattle, Washington, The             Science of Health Promotion 21 (4) 326-334
5. Frank, L.D., Engelke, P & Schmid, T.L., (2003) Health and       Community Design: the impact of the built environment and physical          activity, Washington: Island Press.
6. Forsyth, A., Oakes, M.J., Schmitz, K.H. & Hearst, M. Does residential           density increase walking and other physical activity? (2007) Urban Studies 44 (4) 679-697

Further reading

Carnegie, M.A., Bauman, A., & Marshall. A.L. (2002) Perceptions of the Physical Environment, Stage of Change for Physical Activity and Walking among Australian Adults, Research Quarterly of Exercise and Sport, 73 p 146-155.

Craig, C.L. Browson, R.C., Cragg, S.E. & Dunn, A.L. (2002) Exploring the effect of the Environment on Physical ACtivity: A study Examining Walking to Work, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 23 92) p 36-42

Ellaway, A. Macintyre, S. & Bonnefoy, X (2005) Graffiti, greenery and obesity in adults: secondary analysis of European cross sectional survey, BMJ: bmj.38575.664549.F7

Foster, C., Hillsdon, M. & Thorogood, M. (2004) Environmental Perceptions and Walking in English Adults, Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 58: p924-928

Frank, L.D., et al., (2005). Linking objectively measured physical activity with objectively measured urban form:  Findings from SMARTRAQ. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 28(2, Supplement 2): p. 117-125.

Frank, L.D., et al., (2006). Many pathways from land use to health: Associations between neighborhood walkability and active transportation, body mass index, and air quality. Journal of the American Planning Association, 72(1): p. 75-87.

Moore, R., (1987),Streets as playgrounds, in Public Streets for Public Use, A. Moudin, Editor. Van Nostrand Reinhold: New York.

Rundle, A, diez Roux, A.V., Freeman, L.M.Miller, D, Neckerman, K.M. & Weiss, C.C. (2007) The Urban Built Environment and Obesity in New York: A multilevel analysis, The Science of Health Promotion 21 (4) 326-334

Links

Building Health campaign by National Hearth Forum; Living Streets and Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment. 
http://www.heartforum.org.uk/downloads/BuildingHealth_Main.pdf

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