A spatial economic analysis of urban land use and obesity

摘要

An urban spatial model is used to examine the possible link between urban land use and obesity. The model explains the observed correspondence between high obesity rates and low development densities, but implies that these are determined endogenously in a spatial market equilibrium. Residents are sorted by attributes such as income, initial weight, and weight preferences, and examine the impacts on weight and density of urban modifications that lower the costs of calorie expenditure.