People living in areas of deprivation are more likely to be obese, new research has found.
A British Medical Journal study of obesity levels across Europe has identified a correlation between weight and activity levels, and place of residence.
Those living in the city are at greater risk of developing the condition than country-dwellers.
In particular, obesity in the city was connected to areas where "incivilities" prevailed, such as the dropping of litter or spraying graffiti.
In areas where this tendency was high, the report found that people were around 50 per cent less likely to be physically active and 50 per cent more likely to be obese.
A living environment surrounded by the natural world, on the other hand, appeared to make people there three times as likely to take exercise and 40 per cent less likely to be obese.
The data for the study was drawn from a housing and health survey carried out in eight European cities in 2002 and 2003.
Questionnaires took personal data such as weight, height, gender and social status, and surveyors analysed conditions in the vicinity.
The authors concluded that efforts to combat the so-called "obesity crisis" in Europe should take environmental considerations into account.