Indicators of a health-promoting local food environment: A conceptual framework to inform urban planning policy and practice

Global obesity prevalence has risen dramatically over the past 30 years in both adults and children.1 This presents a major public health challenge because of its contribution to chronic disease and inequities in the distribution of obesity within populations.1

Obesity arises from the energy imbalance associated with dietary intake, physical activity and sedentary behaviours.1 Built-environment attributes (land use, density, transport) appear to influence these behaviours.2 While associations between built-environment attributes and physical activity are well established,2 the relationship between the built environment and dietary behaviour is less well understood and evidence is inconsistent.3