Does where you live play a part in how much you weigh? More and more research is showing that where we reside has a lot to to do with the number on the scale! Check out these 5 surprising ways that your location can impact your weight!
People Living On The Coast Tend To Be More Active
Coastal dwellers tend to make a habit of getting out and getting active! According to an Australian study, people who live on the coast are 23 percent more likely to be less sedentaryn and 38 percent more likely to maintain high activity levels than people living inland.
Having access to beautiful scenic views, moderate temperatures and dedicated spaces for recreation tends to encourage people to keep active. Living on the coast also means that you can do a variety of exercises like swimming, rowing, surfing and running along the sand or swimming in the water.
Living In A Colder Climate May Keep Your Weight Down
You might think living in a colder climate means staying in all winter, eating nothing but warm, rich comfort foods. However, research shows that people living in colder climates tend to burn more calories than those who don’t! When the temperatures dip, the body burns more energy to help warm you up.
According to a recent study spending time in the cold also promotes the formation of brown fat – a beneficial type of fat that creates heat to burn more calories. Another study from the University of Maryland discovered that individuals who lowered the temperatures in their homes from 76 degrees to 66 degrees burnt 6 percent more calories a day!
Living In A Walkable Area Can Help Keep Your Weight Low
Whether you live in the peaceful countryside or a bustling city, chances are you have an easier time than most maintaining a healthy weight if that area is highly walkable. A 2016 study found that people who lived in pedestrian friendly neighborhoods chose to walk more! The study also discovered that these people chose to walk when they headed to work and when they ran errands.
A walkable neighborhood helps you get in a lot more recreational exercise. As a result, you’ll start to see all those burned calories paying off on the scale! Something as small as walking a mile to work each day can burn an additional 1000 calories per week! It’s not uncommon for many people to report a spike in their weight loss when they move to a walkable town or city!
You May Weigh Less If You Live In An Urban Area
Living in a city helps you maintain a healthy a weight! A 2012 study by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that 34 percent of people living in cities were overweight. In rural areas, this number jumps to 39 percent!
Researchers of the study found that people who live in rural areas tend to eat diets that include lots of fatty meats and desserts loaded with sugar. The researchers also found that those living in large cities had easy access to healthier food options. Many people who live in cities don’t have to travel far for a green juice or fresh produce.
If You Live In A Warm Climate, You May Put More Of An Emphasis On Your Weight
Barely there bikinis, short shorts, crop tops and scorching temps. There’s no doubt that living in a warmer climate puts more attention on how much skin you’re regularly showing. A 2002 study of women living in the Southeast compared to women living in the Northeast showed that the women who lived in the Southeast paid more attention to their body type, weighed less and were more susceptible to disordered eating patterns.
Experts couldn’t pinpoint the exact reason as to why women in the Southeast were so concerned with these issues, however they felt that it was more to do with the climate than the culture of the region they live in. Dr. Susan Albers, a mindful eating expert, explains, “When it’s hot, you’re wearing a lot less clothes and your body is more visible.” Living in a warmer climate, where everyone is wearing a lot less clothing, can give rise to insecurities, comparison to other people’s bodies and working harder to stay slim.
