Graffiti and Litter Lead to Obesity?

At first glance this seems preposterous - but research carried out in the UK draws an interesting connection between messy neighborhoods and obesity.

Ellaway's team found that people surrounded by high levels of greenery were more than three times more likely to be physical active, and 40 percent less likely to be overweight or obese compared with people in other environments.

Specifically, people who lived in environments that had high levels of graffiti, litter and other neighborhood mess were 50 percent less physically active and 50 percent more likely to be overweight or obese.

Where would you rather go walking? Along a pristine and beautiful beach or dodging dog poop in a potentially dangerous and noisy neighborhood?