A new study from Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology reports that driving is the worst thing you can do for your waistline. The study surveys over 150,000 people and the correlation between their morning commute and their BMI, or body mass index. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that around 86 percent of workers commute to work by driving or carpooling. The study shows that men who biked to work instead of driving were on average, 11 pounds lighter and two BMI points lower than their driver counterparts. Women were 1.65 BMI points lower and 10 pounds lighter than their female driver counterparts. This is a huge difference considering it isn’t changing anything other than how you get to work. Experts say that even if you don’t change your diet or other exercise habits, small but consistent changes can greatly affect your overall health and weight.

Not everyone lives close enough to work to be able to bike there. Experts say that even using public transportation is better for your health than driving. Driving is a purely sedentary act that involves minimal body movement. Public transportation may not seem very active, but even the act of walking to the bus or train and standing as you travel is still healthier than sitting in traffic. “These all add up to significantly more exertion than driving door-to-door.” Given that more than a third of all Americans suffer from obesity, and only ten percent of Americans have a “normal” body fat percentage, anything that can improve health and weight can be useful. Cities like Chicago and New York have already implemented bike sharing systems for the whole city and are attempting to streamline the public transportation system. But, other cities have a long way to go to play catch up. Even if you do drive to work, experts say that small changes will help. Things like parking further from work and walking the rest of the way, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator will all contribute to better overall health.

Young businessman riding bicycle by bus on street