Does This City Make Me Look Fat?

Last month some interesting news rolled down the scientific pike: researchers from Columbia University and the City College of New York "say their calculation of the 'Quality-Adjusted Life Years' -- or 'Qalys' -- lost as a result of obesity is now equal to, if not greater than, those lost from smoking.

According to the Chicago-Sun Times: "The findings, reported in this week's American Journal of Preventive Medicine, were based on a national health survey of 3.5 million American adults. It suggests that, from 1993 to 2008, the proportion of smokers fell by 18.5 percent, while the proportion of obese people rose by 85 percent. Smoking caused more deaths, but obesity caused more illness."

It might seem weird to think that NYC would take the obesity epidemic head on (and yes, I think when you say an 85% increase you get to epidemic), but here you have it: the city has produced Active Design Guidelines, which "provides architects and urban designers with a manual of strategies for creating healthier buildings, streets and urban spaces, based on the latest academic research and best practices in the field."

So, can design save people?

Here's what their design department has to say about architecture and design's intimate connection with society:

"In the 19th and early 20th centuries, architects and urban reformers helped to defeat infectious diseases, such as cholera and tuberculosis, by improving design of buildings, streets, neighborhoods, clean water systems and parks. In the 21st century, designers can again play a crucial role in combating the most rapidly growing public health epidemics of our time: obesity and its impact on related chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and some cancers."

It's an uphill battle for sure (pun intended), getting people to take the stairs instead of the elevator, it seems like we humans naturally take the path of least resistance.

But I say, if Designers and Marketers can get me to choose a $5 bar of soap over the $1.35 one, then this should be cake.

Okay, that pun was unintentional.


(Photo by laverrue)