Fat City: Questioning the Relationship Between Urban Sprawl and Obesity

Diego Puga, Henry Overman, , and Matthew Turner
Authors registered in the RePEc Author Service: Jean Eid ()

No 6191, CEPR Discussion Papers from C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers

Abstract: We study the relationship between urban sprawl and obesity. Using data that tracks individuals over time, we find no evidence that urban sprawl causes obesity. We show that previous findings of a positive relationship most likely reflect a failure to properly control for the fact the individuals who are more likely to be obese choose to live in more sprawling neighbourhoods. Our results indicate that current interest in changing the built environment to counter the rise in obesity is misguided.

Keywords: Urban sprawl; Obesity; Selection effects (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I12 R14 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2007-03
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-geo and nep-ure
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Fat city: Questioning the relationship between urban sprawl and obesity (2008)
Working Paper: Fat city: questioning the relationship between urban sprawl and obesity (2008)
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