Home Is Where the Heart Is

A new study shows that where you live can impact how frequently you exercise

By Christina Owens
CTW Features

Don’t just lend your neighbors a cup of sugar or water their plants – a new study shows neighbors can even help motivate other neighbors to exercise. A recent study from Ohio State University shows that levels of trust among neighbors, perceived violence in the community and beliefs that neighbors help each other all contributed to how much people exercised.

Socioeconomic makeup, however, was not a determining factor. According to the study, a person’s individual income was less important in determining the frequency of exercise than the neighborhood in which he or she lived.

“Some people may have the personal resources and desire to exercise but don’t live in a neighborhood in which they feel comfortable to go outside for activities,” says Christopher Browning, co-author of the study and associate professor of sociology at Ohio State University.

The study also found that the physical characteristics of a neighborhood were as conducive to the health of its residents as the social environment. Low-lighting, high traffic and a lack of parks are all components that can affect neighborhood exercise levels. Cedric Bryant, chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise (ACE), says that local governments are responding to the need for more exercise-friendly communities.

But if a local government is less responsive, residents can take action themselves, Bryant says. He recommends neighbors create walking groups, whether it be walking in the evening or walking the kids to school. “Just look for some creative opportunities that would allow you to move more,” he says.

While Browning says this study needs to be confirmed by other studies, if substantiated it may have an effect on new initiatives focused on neighborhoods and health. Becky Frusher, a spokeswoman for Curves International, says that understanding the link between fitness and community could be the key to solving some of the major health problems in this country. “I think it’s a lot more important than we ever thought, and I think that it’s going to come out now,” she says. “More people are finding out that this is a really important component of not just exercise but mental health as well.”

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