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May we encourage you to take a walk, and not just one or two, but many, and to do it often.
Interestingly, if you live in a neighborhood developed before 1950, you're more than likely already doing that. As a result, you probably weigh less, on average, and are healthier than your neighbors out in suburbia where the automobile reigns.
This information is revealed in a fascinating new study conducted by researchers at the University of Utah and published in the September issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
According to the study, "Residents were at less risk of being obese or overweight if they lived in (older) walkable neighborhoods" as opposed to those newer communities "designed to facilitate car travel."
A couple of thoughts come to mind.
First, it is good that there is a design trend in our state back toward more centrally located, livable and walkable communities. They're springing up in a number of places. KSL encourages the trend.
But even if you don't live in a so-called walkable community, the lesson of the U of U study is clear: all of us would benefit from getting out of our cars and using our two legs more to get from one place to another.
