Healthy Environment and Healthy Living in Urban China: An Emerging Field in Research

Abstract

Chinese urban lifestyle has been drastic transformed due to the rapid urban expansion and motorization. Due to the decrease of physical activity and increase intakes of fat and animal foods, the prevalence of overweight and obesity and related health problems in China has risen. As a result, considerable public health concerns have started to manifest. Experts urge that both central and local governments should allocate more resources to create environments that enhance physical and emotional quality of life, in particular to build healthy physical environments conducive to walking and bicycling. This paper reviews this emerging research field in China, focusing on physical activities, diet, obesity, and their relations with environmental building.