Heavy street

Killer fact:

[T]he report published this week, Manual for Streets, claims that people living in cul-de-sacs weigh on average 6lb more than those living in grid-style developments (because they walk less)...

There are people who do research on this? If so, I'm now torn between two further questions. Oh, I'll throw caution to the winds and ask both. (1) Shouldn't someone do something to stop them spending their time like that? (2) Do they stand at the end of roads of different kinds inviting people to weigh themselves?