Moving to walkable cities boosts physical activity

Moving to more walkable cities increases daily steps by 1,100 on average, says study.

Why it matters

  • Physical activity is crucial for health.
  • Built environments can impact activity levels.

By the numbers

  • 248,266 days of data across 7,447 relocations.
  • 1,100 daily steps increase when moving to a more walkable city.

The big picture

  • Walkable cities can significantly boost physical activity.
  • Benefits hold across genders, ages, and BMI values.
  • Potential for public policy guidance.

What they're saying

  • Users praise walkable city designs for health and environmental benefits.
  • Mention of reduced car dependency and improved mental health.

Caveats

  • Individual results may vary.
  • Study uses smartphone data, which may have limitations.

What’s next

  • More studies to confirm findings.
  • Potential policy changes to promote walkable cities.