Smaller Homes – Better Health?

Apparently, there is a trend toward smaller homes (although I don’t see it out in the burbs).  The median home size has dropped from 2,300 square feet in 2007 to 2,100 square feet with more than 1/3 of Americans saying their ideal size is below 2,000 square feet.  (stats from article)

This makes me wonder if having less room will encourage people to get out of the house more.  Go out in the yard and play.  Go out to the gym.  Be more social. 

Will this encourage more neighborhood interaction?  Since we know that social pressures affect our decisions around smoking, eating, and exercise, this would seem like a good thing. 

It would be an interesting thing to study at a macro level.