Community food environment and early childhood BMI: baseline findings from the Hawaii Children’s Healthy Living Program (390.5)

Abstract

Community food environment (CFE) is an important determinant of health, especially obesity. Factors of the CFE (including availability and quality of fruits/vegetables [F/V], store advertisement, community readiness for change [CR], and store walkability) were assessed in 4 communities in Hawai‛i participating in the Children’s Healthy Living Program community randomized trial to describe CFE variables in association with early childhood (2‐8 y) body mass index (BMI). Anthropometric measurements were collected in all communities (n=598); BMI percentiles and z scores were calculated using CDC 2000 growth curves. CFE factors, except CR, were measured in 29 stores. CR was measured by survey of 29 community members knowledgeable of the CFE. Spearman correlations were calculated for mean BMI‐z score and CFE variables. Mean BMI z‐score = 0.59 (SD=0.20) while means of CR = 5.25 (SD=0.4), FV availability = 4.9 (SD=2.8), FV quality = 5.2 (SD=2.6) and store walkability = 11.1 (SD 9.3). BMI z‐score and CR (r=‐0.98, p<0.001) were negatively correlated in addition to mean BMI z‐score and store walkability (r=‐0.45, p=0.04). Positive correlations were found between BMI z‐score and store exterior healthy ads (r=0.40, p=0.03); FV availability (r=0.59, p<0.001); and FV quality (r=0.62, p<0.001). Further study, including more Pacific communities and the examination of additional factors, may influence these associations.Grant Funding Source: Supported by the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Grant no. 2011‐68001‐30335 from the USDA