A new long-term study suggests that where you live may play a bigger role in shaping eating habits and body weight than researchers previously understood.
The research, led by Curtin University and published in Social Science & Medicine, followed thousands of Australians for 14 years. By tracking people before and after they moved to a new neighborhood, the researchers were able to see how changes in local food environments, grocery options and neighborhood design influenced health over time.
Lead author Michael Windsor said the patterns were clear.
“By following thousands of Australians year after year and using broad two-digit postcode regions to identify when they moved, we were able to see how changing location influenced their weight,” he said. “On average, about 15% of the difference in weight between regions can be explained by where people live, not just who they are.”
People didn’t instantly match the average weight of their new community, but they tended to shift slowly in that direction. According to the team, this suggests that everyday surroundings, such as the availability of fresh food, the density of fast-food outlets, walkability and access to green space, subtly shape routines and eating patterns over time.
Windsor said the study also tested how much location influenced everyday behaviors.
“We found that the area in which people live has a much stronger effect on food consumption than on physical activity,” he said.
Spending patterns on groceries and takeout varied significantly based on what was affordable and convenient in each local area.
The findings echo research from the U.S., where food access and neighborhood design are tied to chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. The authors say the results highlight how environmental factors and individual choices work together and why policy solutions matter.
“Individual choices matter, but the evidence shows that the places people live also have a significant influence. Effective policy must recognise both,” Windsor said.
The researchers used long-running data from Australia’s HILDA survey, which follows the same individuals each year. Because the study captured changes before and after people moved, it allowed the team to isolate the effect of place rather than only personal characteristics.
The authors say the findings should help guide urban planning and public health strategies. Strengthening access to fresh food, improving walkability and designing healthier neighborhood environments could support healthier eating across entire communities.
This study used data from the Australian Government’s Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. The research team also acknowledged support from the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and received feedback from several academic conferences.