Suburbs Are Making Canadians Fatter

A new study in Canada provides additional evidence linking the obesity epidemic in North America with suburban sprawl.

1 minute read

August 24, 2006, 12:00 PM PDT

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera


New data from Statistics Canada has renewed debate about the link between suburban lifestyles and obesity.

"The report Regional Differences In Obesity used data from the 2004 Canadian Community Health Survey, where interviewers measured the height and weight of 10,000 Canadians instead of relying on self-reporting."

It shows that Canadians living outside metropolitan areas have a higher probability of being overweight or obese.

"According to Statistics Canada, the national average for obesity was 23%, but for metropolitan areas it was 20%. Outside the cities the average rose to 29%."

Doctors stated that the differences were likely a result "of everything from the automation of farming to urban sprawl -- too many people relying on cars to get where they need and little motivation to walk."

Thanks to Joel S. Hirschhorn

Tuesday, August 22, 2006 in Canada.com

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Aerial view of single-family homes with swimming pools in San Diego, California.

San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule

The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.

March 9, 2025 - Axios

Green electric Volkswagen van against a beach backdrop.

The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan

Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.

March 3, 2025 - ABC 7 Eyewitness News

Canadian flag in foreground with blurred Canadian Parliament building in background in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Has President Trump Met His Match?

Doug Ford, the no-nonsense premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, is taking on Trump where it hurts — making American energy more expensive.

March 11, 2025 - Toronto Star

Aerial view of Honolulu, Hawaii coastline at dusk.

Honolulu's Iwilei Center Plans for Redevelopment Into Mixed-Use Space

Striving to expand affordable housing options for Oahu residents, Honolulu's Department of Land Management requests to redevelop the Iwilei Center into a mixed-use space.

4 hours ago - Spectrum News

Orange Biketown bike share bikes parked at station on sidewalk in Portland, Oregon,

Biketown Lives

Despite public perception of its decline, Portland’s bike share system is alive and well.

5 hours ago - Willamette Week

Quiet tree-lined street in Stockholm, Sweden in summer.

‘Stockholm Tree Pit’ Saves Dying Urban Trees

After noticing that two-thirds of its trees were dying, Stockholm developed a new planting method to protect trees surrounded by concrete.

6 hours ago - Reasons to Be Cheerful