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If you live in an area that has a lot morefast food Options only fresh food or grocery stores, are you more likely to combat weight gain? Although this has been the theory for a few years, anew study in theInternational Journal of Obesity wonders this hypothesis.

First, here's how this idea started: searchPublished in 2017 About children and weight gain indicated that children living near fast food restaurants are more likely to get a large amount of weight compared to those who live further.

This study also found a higher density of rapid outlets in the poorest neighborhoods, aggravating the problem sincePrevious search also found a link betweenSocioeconomic status and obesity in children. Another potential weight gain factor? Have a less "markingable" neighborhood,another study Noted.

Although these factors seem to have the same effect on adults, recent research suggests that this may not be the case.

The researchers examined anonymized medical records of more than 115,000 patients aged 18 to 64 living at Washington State. They compared the location of neighborhood with population density data and the prevalence ofsupermarkets and fast food restaurants. Then they corresponded to health variables as a long-term weight gain over a five-year period.

The result? There was very little correlation between the proximity of fast food and weight gain in a more striking neighborhood had a negligible effect on the total weight. Those who lived closer to supermarkets - which means they had better access to healthier foods - were no less likely to gain weight.

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"There is a lot of previous research on where you live and weight gain," says James Buszkiewicz, Ph.D., Research Scientist at the University of Washington School of Public health. "We found that the density imports weight gain, but not the proximity of fast food or supermarkets. So it seems to suggest that these other studies probably observed a false signal."

It's good news for people who live close mainly about fast food options and fear that it will lead to weight gain, he added. But it is also difficult for public health in general because it means limiting the obesity epidemic is not as easy as putting more supermarkets and sidewalks.

A factor The researchers did not examine that Buszkiewicz says is probably an important factor is an income. Being incapable of paying healthy foods or not having time to exercise so that work requests are much larger problems than to know if your nearest restaurant has a Drive-Thru window.

For more, be sure to checkThe 21 best cheap foods to buy are surprisingly healthy.