There could be a rise in town planning jobs if suburbs are transformed to improve the nation's health.
According to Barry Nelson, health editor of the Northern Echo, towns are not developed to take health into account.
He stated that there should be more consideration to "our waistlines" when planning regeneration projects, so that people are not forced to use their cars.
Speaking with the newspaper, Tim Townshend, director of planning and urban design at Newcastle University, said: "Health needs to be back on the town planning agenda before it is too late."
He added that urban areas are filled with "fast food restaurants, escalators and huge car parks" which means that people never have to walk far.
It was also noted that there are often places "without any local services and poor transport links", leading to a rise in the number of people who opt to use their cars rather than walking.
TV physician Dr Christian Jessen recently spoke about the importance of exercise for health, suggesting that people should "get off the bus one step earlier and walk the last little bit" to combat problems of obesity.
Posted by Francesca Critchlow
