Community Planning focuses on builders not citizens

In the BMJ this week (page 7) Nicole Lavery, Community Adviser, Northern Ireland believes we have now reached saturation point as to how many studies and articles it takes to convince us that we are too fat as a nation. What good does it do to advise people that they need to walk, cycle and swim when the infrastructure is doing its best to prevent exactly this, she asks? These comments could just as well apply to the United States and our own communities. The planners who work for city & county boards spend their time explaining how builders should be rewarded for new developments. They do not focus on whether the infrastructure of the new development is good for its planned residents. Are there sidewalks that provide walking and cycling paths? Are there exercise areas that do not force people into gymnasia? What swimming resources and athletic fields are available? Without readily available exercise areas, and the ability tio walk to the local shops, we will not change obesity with lectures. Health departments should become part of community planning.