Metro Atlanta's sprawl bad for the waistline

I very much enjoyed your article on unwalkable suburbs and mixed-use environments ["Health pros link sprawl with spread," Horizon, Nov. 17]. Having moved here from Munich, Germany, my husband and I were absolutely gobsmacked at the amount of sprawl vs. the areas in which to walk.

We lived in a village suburb that was 17 minutes from downtown Munich by the suburban rail.

In addition, I drove our car only once and walked and biked everywhere. The car was used only to go to Ikea or to areas that could not be easily reached by public transportation or for an extended holiday to France.

Exercise was part of the routine of the day, vs. having to find another precious hour or two out of an already busy day. Since moving to Atlanta, we've gained weight.

By accident, we discovered Silver Springs Village. Although marketed for the active adult, there are many folks moving there under the age of 55. Anyway, we immediately put money down on a house site exactly because we realized we would once again be able to walk or bicycle to the stores and utilize the Silver Comet Trail on a daily basis.

I am once again looking forward to biking to do my daily errands and getting exercise at the same time. There is definitely a link between obesity and suburban sprawl. I'm a victim of it.

LACY DOREMUS, Kennesaw

Source: Letters to Horizon, ajc.com