People may be less likely to become obese if they live in an area where healthy foods are available nearby, a new study suggests.

US scientists monitored the progress of more than 4,000 adults living in six different cities over a five-year period. None of the participants were obese at the start of the study and all provided information about the type of neighbourhood they lived in, including the availability of healthy foods nearby and the ‘walkability' of the area.

During the study period, 406 of the participants became obese.

The scientists found that those living in a neighbourhood with a healthy food environment were less likely to become obese than those who did not. This was irrespective of factors such as age, gender, income, education, diet and physical activity levels.

The walkability of a neighbourhood was also linked to lower obesity rates, but only if a healthy food environment also existed.

Overall, if a person had fewer healthy food options within one mile of their home, their risk of becoming obese increased.

"Programs including farmer's markets and subsidies for fresh food vendors to locate in disadvantaged areas, are the types of adaptations cities and towns can make to create healthier communities - without putting the burden on individuals to have to move to a new neighborhood in order to adopt a healthier lifestyle," the team said.

Details of these findings are published in the journal, Obesity.