Adherence
Living in neighborhoods with ready access to healthy foods (e.g., supermarkets) is associated with more healthful diets and lower prevalence of obesity, whereas high density of fast-food restaurants has weak or mixed evidence for causing obesity.
Prioritize living in or supporting communities that have accessible supermarkets or fresh food options. Be aware that simply having fast food nearby does not necessarily dictate your weight, but having access to healthy options supports better dietary choices. Look for communities that offer both access and safety.
Residents of communities with ready access to healthy foods also tend to have more healthful diets... evidence regarding the relationship between individuals’ weight status and the density of restaurants in their neighborhood is weak and has not been supported in large studies of children and adults in both rural and urban areas.
Why this rating
Most studies are cross-sectional; prospective and quasi-experimental evidence is emerging but not yet conclusive for all aspects (like fast-food density).
Source
Physical Activity and Food Environments: Solutions to the Obesity Epidemic
James F. Sallis et al. · Milbank Quarterly · 2009
DOI 10.1111/j.1468-0009.2009.00550.x
More from this paper
- Residing in walkable neighborhoods with good access to recreation facilities is associated with higher levels of physical activity and a lower likelihood of being overweight or obese.Good
- Multilevel interventions that combine environmental/policy changes with individual education and social support are more effective than individual-focused interventions alone.Good
Related findings · Adherence
- Regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity) reduces all-cause and cardiovascular mortality by 20-30% and lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes by 25-35%.Strong
- Increasing physical activity from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one in middle adulthood significantly reduces the risk of coronary events compared to remaining sedentary.Strong
- Resistance exercise is the only intervention capable of consistently restoring muscle function and strength in sarcopenia, partially overcoming age-related anabolic resistance.Strong
This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →