If you commute to work every day, you should not just leave your car parked for the sake of the environment. An American study now shows that fewer people suffer from obesity if they frequently use public transport.
For many people, local public transport is part of everyday life. Going to work quickly by bus or train can not only save you the stress of the morning bustle but also has a health benefit.
Railway transport: Regional obesity decline
The researchers compared various data from 2001 and 2009. The result is that if many people in a region use local public transport. The number of obesity cases there is lower.
Expressed in figures, this means that if one percent more people in one district regularly get on buses and trains. This is expressed in an obesity rate that is 0.473 percent lower than in other regions.
Possibility to move is created
For the scientists, these results are logical. “The use of local transport creates an opportunity for physical exercise that would otherwise not exist.
“Instead of just going out of the house and getting into a car, people have to walk to a stop and then to their destination.”
The study also confirms findings from an earlier study that also showed a connection between the use of public transport and a low obesity rate.
However, the current research is based on an even more extensive analysis of data on health, traffic and census data from 227 counties in 45 states.
Individual differences in the various lifestyles were also taken into account. This includes leisure activities, household income and health care.
Health and public transport: Insights cannot be transferred to individuals
However, since the study only shows the effects for the respective regions, the results cannot be directly transferred to an individual person.
That more exercise in everyday life has a positive effect on physical health. Less use of cars can bring other positive aspects with it should nevertheless seem logical to everyone.
“The research suggests that investing in public transportation is not only good for the environment. But, it can also have general health benefits.”
For the sake of your health and the environment, you should therefore avoid driving more often. Use the bus, train or, ideally, a bicycle.