Link between body weight and home value

SEATTLE (AP) — The value of your home may be a stronger predictor of your weight than the genes inherited from your ancestors, a new public health study from the University of Washington has found.

Health researchers and government officials usually group people by income or education level or even by zip code, but this study illustrates a more targeted approach, according to Adam Drewnowski, professor of epidemiology at the UW School of Public Health and lead author of the study.

A random telephone survey in 2008-09 combined with King County tax records showed women living in the homes in the lowest 25 percent of the assessed property values in Seattle and the surrounding suburbs were more than three times more likely to be obese than women living in the most expensive homes.

Not surprising, really. I’ve long been annoyed at how much more expensive healthy low-fat foods are compared to junk food. What can be done about this?