Britain's obesity epidemic linked to bad town planning, RIBA says Leeds and Bristol were the healthiest areas. Looking at diabetes overall, the least healthy areas in England's cities had twice the housing density and a quarter less green space than the most healthy areas. Meanwhile for childhood obesity, green space was 44.7% in the worst cities while the percentage of land occupied by housing was 6.8%. In comparison, the five local authorities outside London with the lowest rates of childhood obesity were 71.4% green space and only 3.1% housing. Anna Scott-Marshall, head of external affairs at RIBA, warned: "The way we design and plan out cities can have an immediate effect on the obesity crisis and how healthy we are." Research shows one in eleven early deaths could be avoided every year if everyone exercised for the recommended 30 minutes five times a week. Of the 59 per cent of people in Britain's major cities not getting this exercise 75 per cent said that they could be encouraged to do more in a better environment, according to the YouGov poll carried out on behalf of RIBA. People were most likely to be encouraged by quality over quantity, with safety and aesthetics deemed much important than a direct route or an increase in the number of parks, the survey found. Therefore, by designing places people want to use developers could encourage exercise and reduce obesity and related health problems, like diabetes, the report concluded. Department for Transport data show that walking has dropped 27% in the last 15 years. Stephen Hodder, RIBA President, said: "At a time of austerity and increased concern with physical and mental well-being, it's shocking to discover that just by making public health a priority when planning cities, we can save the country upwards of £1bn annually though reduced obesity-related health care costs. He called for "planners and developers to take the lead and ensure healthier cities." RIBA are calling on local authorities, who took over responsibility for public health last year, to integrate policies with those for planning.