Obesity and Urban Form: Evidence from London

33 Pages Posted: 17 Mar 2017 Last revised: 20 Apr 2017

See all articles by Oliver Brecher

Oliver Brecher

University of Cambridge - Department of Land Economy

Franz Fuerst

University of Cambridge - Department of Land Economy; University of Melbourne; City University of New York - Center for Urban Research

Date Written: March 15, 2017

Abstract

This paper examines the association between urban form and obesity rates at the neighbourhood level. Using data from London, UK in a regression and mediation analysis framework, we find that high population density, more diverse land use, better public transport access and higher street connectivity are all associated with lower obesity rates after controlling for a range of possible confounders such as income, unemployment, education and age. These findings corroborate and extend the existing empirical evidence on the crucial role of neighbourhood factors, in particular built environment factors, in counteracting rising obesity levels in large cities and metropolitan areas.

Keywords: Obesity, urban form, land use mix, street connectivity, mediation analysis

JEL Classification: I18, R23

Suggested Citation

Brecher, Oliver and Fuerst, Franz, Obesity and Urban Form: Evidence from London (March 15, 2017). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2934006 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2934006

Oliver Brecher

University of Cambridge - Department of Land Economy ( email )

19 Silver Street
Cambridge, CB3 9EP
United Kingdom

Franz Fuerst (Contact Author)

University of Cambridge - Department of Land Economy ( email )

19 Silver Street
Cambridge, CB3 9EP
United Kingdom

HOME PAGE: http://www.landecon.cam.ac.uk/directory/dr-franz-fuerst

University of Melbourne ( email )

185 Pelham Street
Carlton, Victoria 3053
Australia

City University of New York - Center for Urban Research

CUNY The Graduate Center
New York, NY 10011
United States

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