Logo image
Back
Cross-Sectional Associations of Built and Social Neighborhood Environment Variables with Body Mass Index in a Large Sample of Urban Predominantly African American Children
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Cross-Sectional Associations of Built and Social Neighborhood Environment Variables with Body Mass Index in a Large Sample of Urban Predominantly African American Children

Kimberly M. Daniels, Felice Le-Scherban, Leah H. Schinasi, Kari Moore, Amy H. Auchincloss, Christopher B. Forrest and Ana V. Diez Roux
Childhood obesity, v 17(3), pp 209-219
01 Apr 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/chi.2020.0155
PMID: 33555978
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel

Abstract

Life Sciences & Biomedicine Pediatrics Science & Technology
Background and Objectives: Neighborhood environments may play a role in the development of child obesity by providing or limiting opportunities for children to be physically active and access healthy food near the home. This study quantifies associations between the neighborhood built and social environment and age- and sex- standardized body mass index (BMI) z-scores in a predominantly African American urban sample. Methods: Electronic health record data from a pediatric integrated delivery system (N = 26,460 children, 6 to 19 years old in Philadelphia in 2014) were linked to eight built and social neighborhood environment characteristics. Generalized estimating equations were used to obtain adjusted associations between neighborhood features and age- and sex-adjusted BMI Z-score. Interactions between built and social exposures were examined, as well as effect modification by age, sex, neighborhood socioeconomic status, and population density. Results: Of 26,460 children, 17% were overweight and 21% were obese. After adjustment for individual- and neighborhood-level confounders, higher neighborhood greenness and higher walkability were associated with lower BMI z-score [mean difference per standard deviation (SD): -0.069 (95% confidence interval: [-0.108 to -0.031] and -0.051 [-0.085, -0.017], respectively)]. Higher levels of neighborhood food and physical activity resources were associated with higher BMI z-score [mean difference per SD 0.031 (0.012 and 0.050)]. We observed no interaction between the built and social neighborhood measures. Conclusion: Policies to promote walkability and greening of urban neighborhoods may contribute to preventing obesity in children.

Metrics

8 Record Views
6 citations in Web of Science
7 citations in Scopus

Details

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being

InCites Highlights

Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:

Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Pediatrics
Logo image