About the Site Email Newsletter Links to Cycling Organisations
Bicycle and Public Transport Bicycle Network Planning Bicycle Strategies & Plans Bike Share Programs Cycling Data End of Trip Facilities Facility Design / Engineering Land Use Planning Mobility Management
Bicycle User Guides Education: Adults Education: Children Professional Development User Guides & Groups
Awards and Recognition Behaviour Change Programs Economic Benefits of Cycling Environmental Benefits of Cycling Health Benefits of Cycling Maps Marketing Ride to School Ride to Shops Ride to Work Social Benefits of Cycling Women in Cycling
Bicycle Regulations Overviews Solutions Statistics & Common Crashes
Cycle Tourism Mountain Biking & BMX Trails Planning & Trails Strategy Promotion Strategies
International Local Government National Government State & Territory Government
Cycling Innovations Education & Training Encouragement & Promotion Enforcement & Road Safety Engineering & Planning Funding Recreation

Search

Font Decrease Font Normal Font Increase Print

Active travel and adult obesity

Sustrans is the UK’s leading sustainable transport charity and works on practical projects to encourage people to walk, cycle and use public transport to benefit health and the environment.

 

The impact of travel choices on our weight and health - INFORMATION SHEET FH14




In recent years the issue of obesity has risen from being one among many health concerns to attain the status of an ‘epidemic’(1) and to top the UK health agenda. This situation is mirrored in other developed nations, fuelled by post-war lifestyle and dietary changes that have led to us gaining excessive body weight.



UK obesity rates have trebled since 1980(2). Today, nearly one in four adults in England are obese(3), with similar levels in Scotland(4) and Wales(5). Based on current trends it has been estimated that nearly 60% of the UK population could be obese by 2050 – a mainly obese society(2). Ironically, obesity is a problem affecting rich countries, but whose effects are felt most by the poorest within those societies – by 2012, obesity rates among adults in manual social classes will be 43% higher than for adults in nonmanual social classes(6).

Read More