City dwellers living in areas with little greenery and high levels of graffiti and litter are more likely to be obese than those living in pleasant areas with lots of greenery, according to a new report published in the British Medical Journal.

In this study, researchers sought to test the theory that areas which are pleasant might encourage people to exercise, and thus result in a lower level of obesity.

They analyzed data from a large housing and health survey conducted in eight European cities in 2002-2003. Questionnaires captured information on height and weight, which was then used to calculate body mass index, and level of physical activity.

Surveyors then assessed the immediate residential environment, including the amount of graffiti, litter, and dog mess, as well as the level of vegetation and greenery visible on the dwelling and streets immediately surrounding it. Factors such as age, sex, and social status, were also taken into account.

For respondents whose residential environment contained high levels of greenery, the likelihood of being more physically active was more than three times as high, and the likelihood of being overweight and obese was about 40 percent less.

In contrast, for respondents whose residential environment contained high levels of incivilities, the likelihood of being more physically active was about 50 percent less, and the likelihood of being overweight or obese was about 50 percent higher.

Despite some limitations, these findings suggest that efforts to promote physical activity and reduce weight should take into account environmental facilitators and barriers as well as individual factors, according to the researchers.

Other sources: British Medical Journal