Unfit for purpose: How car use fuels climate change and obesity

A brief history of changes in transport mode in the UK is presented. The growth in car travel has led to a decline in human energy expenditure and a parallel growth in obesity. At the same time carbon dioxide emissions attributable to car use have increased. Much of the discussion on adult obesity has centred around food intake as the root of this problem. Recent data suggests that average energy intake has fallen by about 20% between 1974 and 2004 but the increase in obesity has still occurred, giving further credence to the idea that the dramatic decline in physical activity since World War II may be responsible. The decline in cycling since the 1950s is not considered the main reason for the recent upsurge in obesity. Main car drivers walk only half the distance and for half the time of adults in car-free households. This equates to a deficit of 56 minutes of walking every week for these drivers relative to adults in non-car households. Over a decade it is calculated that this could lead to a weight gain of more than two stones. Passenger cars account for over 13% of the UK's total carbon dioxide emissions. It is considered that the decline in walking over recent decades should be reversed, that tailored support should be provided to individuals to increase walking and that large-scale behaviour change programmes should be established. The built environment should be redesigned to discriminate in favour of walking and cycling. The cost of such interventions could be met by the ongoing cost savings to the National Health Service.

• Authors:
  • Davis, A
  • VALSECCHI, C
  • FERGUSSON, M
• Publication Date: 2007-8

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 75p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobiles; Bicycling; Greenhouse effect; Hazards; Health; Transportation modes; Walking
• Uncontrolled Terms: Causes; Selection; Use
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 1243: Car; 9003: Cause; 759: Cycling; 2451: Greenhouse effect; 2144: Health; 9150: Risk; 9072: Selection; 1145: Transport mode; 8119: United Kingdom; 9084: Use; 758: Walking
• Subject Areas: Energy; Environment; Operations and Traffic Management; Pedestrians and Bicyclists; I15: Environment; I70: Traffic and Transport;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01087526
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Jan 29 2008 10:48AM