What ever happened to a proposal made some five years ago by the local leadership in Dumaguete City to make Perdices Street, a major thoroughfare, into a “walking neighborhood?” It might just be as well not only to health buffs, but for everyone who have a stake in the city and cognizant of the, oftentimes, chaotic and exasperating traffic situation, especially during peak hours.
In the article by Nicholas Bakalar on May 24, 2016 where he mentioned a particular study published in JAMA, he explained that “neighborhoods designed for walking may decrease the rates of being overweight or obese and having diabetes by more than 10 percent.”
The study was done in urbanized areas in Ontario, Canada involving more than three million people in 8,777 neighborhoods. Using a 100-point scale, the study ranked the respondents for “walkability” and measured “population density, number of facilities within walking distance of residences, and how well connected their webs of streets are.”
Considering the age, sex, and income, among others, of the respondents, the study found that the number of individuals considered “overweight and obese” was more than 10 percent lower in one-fifth of neighborhoods rated highest for “walkability.” The study, which was done in a span of 12 years, likewise registered an increase of obesity and being overweight in the three-fifths of neighborhoods that were “lowest in walkability” by as much as 9.2 percent. The two-fifths that were rated as “highest in walkability” revealed the same results.
Cases of diabetes were also lowest in the “most walkable” neighborhoods. Activities like walking, cycling, and using public transport were rated high in walkable neighborhoods, which “lead to better health outcomes.”
Bakalar’s article qualified that although the researchers admit that the results of the study do not prove the causes of being overweight or obese, as well as having diabetes, senior author, Dr. Gillian L. Booth of St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, attested that “the healthiest neighborhoods seem to be those where cars are not a necessity.”
HUMILITY IN THE NEW NORMAL
What is humility? What is the essence of humility? Why do we need to strengthen our humility in this so-called new normal times?
The Holy Bible teaches us that humility is a virtue. It is the foundation of all virtues. We can do great things when they are anchored in humility. It is an expression of lowering yourself for the sake of others. More aptly put, it is descending into greatness.
Humility is indispensable in all our endeavors. It might be in waiting for our turn as we fall in line, performing our tasks, talking to somebody, waiting for something or somebody and, most especially, to dealing with the unforeseen occurrences in our lives. It may pertain to the environment or something personal. Everything entails humility. Without it, things will turn out unfavorably.
In this pandemic, life challenges us to strengthen humility in our lives since we are confronted with so many rules to adhere. This is called “epistemic humility,” which means we have to know our limitations in this pandemic, especially in dealing with this crisis. Nobody wants this to happen. That is why we need to understand when people cross our paths despite some restrictions. It is good to be humble because it is the dwelling place of love. It is the asset for happiness and success. By leading a humble life, you acknowledge yourself as a willing and obedient follower, and mending the broken pieces to make them whole again. – NWI
