A recent study showed that people living in walkable neighborhoods get about 35–45 more minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, and are substantially less likely to be overweight or obese, than do people of similar socioeconomic status living in neighborhoods that are not walkable. Living close to parks and other recreation facilities also is consistently related to higher physical activity levels for both adults and youth. One national study found that adolescents with easy access to multiple recreation facilities were both more physically active and less likely to be overweight and obese than were adolescents without access to such facilities.
The Complete Streets program recently adopted by the Tennessee Department of Transportation is aimed as designing our communities with streets, bikeways, greenways, and parks for a healthier population who have ample access to safe recreation. The positive economic impact of investing in this people-focused infrastructure pays off greatly in benefits to our entire state.
Find out more on these benefits here.
