Experts have told how place of residence affects health.
The level of physical activity and self-reported health were closely associated with the perception and use of the residents of their district.
How do you feel about the area in which you live? A large European study, the report of which was published in February 2016 in the journal “Obesity Reviews”, shows that the behavior and the body mass index of an individual are closely linked to place of residence.
There is nothing surprising in the fact that the area where we live, affects our health, and some previous studies already showed. But it was the first large-scale study in which to assess physical activity and food habits scientists to view the surrounding area used the Internet.
The study, conducted over four years, the researchers studied the data of self-reports received from nearly 6000 people living in large cities of Europe. The researchers evaluated how the characteristics of the blocks described in the self-reports were consistent with objective indicators, which the researchers obtained by using the “Google Street View”, allowing to make panoramic view of the city streets around the world. During the study take into account the individual Respondent’s assessment of his behavior relating to the health, social integration and support from the local community.
According to the study, many of the activities associated with the conduct that affect health and risk of obesity, apparently linked to the local environment. The level of physical activity, self-reported health, happiness and preferences were closely associated with the perception and use of the residents of their district.
People living in socially and economically disadvantaged areas were less likely to consider the neighborhood as a place conducive to a healthy lifestyle than people in more affluent areas.
The researchers note that in cities where people lived, participating in the survey, there was considerable variation in the availability of food outlets, outdoor recreation facilities and green spaces. Residents who reported higher levels of social integration are usually more highly valued their health, these people were also less likely to be obese and consuming more fruits. However, members of this same group were more likely to spend a lot of time sitting, and were less involved in physical activity.
In the study, participants were required to describe the boundaries of their residential neighborhood by using the map and web tools. Older people are usually drawn smaller areas than young adults. Women are more likely to have identified a more narrow boundaries of their district than men, and higher levels of education was largely concerned with the wider definition of the boundaries of the district.
Professor Jean-Michel Oppert (Jean-Michel Oppert) from the University hospital Drink-salpêtrière (Pitie-Salpetriere University Hospital in Paris, suggests that young people, men and people with higher education travel more or live in areas with wider access to urban opportunities, such as services, transport and social activities. According to Professor of Oppert, this leads to the expansion of the boundaries of the area of their activity.
Self-determination of the boundaries of the district also expanded as the length of time of human habitation in a particular locality. Perhaps it is because the long-term residence in the same area implies the formation of a larger number of social contacts and networks in the community, as well as greater awareness about the area.
The researchers note that the data that they received is important for a deeper understanding of how behavior is associated with health and, in particular, with obesity as one result of this behavior. Scientists are urging architects and urban planners to consider all these factors when designing residential areas.
