The Built Environment’s Effect on Obesity in the United States

Obesity is a growing concern in the United States. Obesity results from eating more calories than one’s body can use as energy per day. To lose weight one must either eat fewer calories or use more energy. Some suggest that certain public amenities may encourage healthy lifestyles. Others suggest public amenities have no effect on personal activity levels. This paper looks at the influence the built environment has on obesity rates in U.S. cities. An Ordinary Least Squares regression model is used and finds that significant characteristics of the built environment include acres of parkland, number of recreation facilities, commute times, and active travel rates in a city