Ride More, Weigh Less

Well it’s not quite as easy as the title implies. But a study by the University of Tennessee Obesity Research Center examined the relationship between obesity and using active transportation (defined as walking, cycling or using public transit) in the United States, Europe and Australia.

Researchers found that countries where people use active transportation more often tend to have lower rates of obesity. Of all the countries studied, the United States had the lowest level of active transportation use (12%) and the highest rate of obesity (23.9%).

No surprise there, right? But the University says the results make a good case to help justify the need for more active transportation infrastructure in the United States.

The study appears in the November edition of the Journal of Physical Activity & Health. The Statesman ran this AP story about it today.