Document Type
Preprint
Publication Date
9-2018
Keywords
Obesity; Neighbourhood/place; Social inequality; Chronic disease; Geography
Abstract
Objectives. Extant research clearly points to a correlation between place and health, specifically as it pertains to chronic diseases like obesity. The present study examines this relationship among a diverse set of compositional place indicators and obesity rates across census tracts in the 500 largest cities in the United States.
Methods. Using data compiled from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 500 Cities project and the Census’ American Community Survey, the analyses examined aggregate relationships between sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and housing characteristics of census tracts and age adjusted obesity prevalence rates in over 27,000 census tracts located in the 500 largest cities in the United States.
Results. Multivariate analysis confirms the place-chronic health connection. Regardless of variable groups, deteriorating places with low-income minority populations report more obesity prevalence.
Conclusions. Place matters. The continuing burden of zip code in the United States for disenfranchised populations will likely continue to force policymakers to examine the role that place and place-focused medical care plays in the future health and well-being of U.S. residents.
Citation
Fitzpatrick, K., Shi, X., Willis, D. E., & Niemeier, J. (2018). Obesity and Place: Chronic Disease in the 500 Largest U.S. Cities. Obesity Research & Clinical Practice, 12 (5), 421-425. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orcp.2018.02.005
Comments
This is a preprint of an article that was published in Obesity Research & Clinical Practice. The published article can be read here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orcp.2018.02.005