Stair design in the United States and obesity: the need for a change.

Background: Maintenance of healthy body weight is a function of total energy expenditure including household and workplace activity. Light to moderate physical activity has been found to be effective in motivating sedentary and obese individuals, and is at least as effective as structured exercise in lowering weight in some studies.

Discussion: Stair use offers a promising intervention for increasing physical activity, because it involves a lifestyle choice that must be made (people must get to their destination), and it requires no personal financial cost.