Contributions of Multiple Built Environment Features to 10-Year Change in Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference in a South Australian Middle-Aged Cohort.

Suzanne J Carroll,Anne W Taylor,Mark Daniel,Michael J Dale

doi:10.3390/ijerph17030870

Abstract

Residential areas may shape health, yet few studies are longitudinal or concurrently test relationships between multiple residential features and health. This longitudinal study concurrently assessed the contributions of multiple environmental features to 10-year change in clinically measured body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). Longitudinal data for adults (18+ years of age, n = 2253) from the north-west of Adelaide, Australia were linked to built environment measures representing the physical activity and food environment (expressed for residence-based 1600 m road-network buffers) and area education. Associations were concurrently estimated using latent growth models. In models including all environmental exposure measures, area education was associated with change in BMI and WC (protective effects). Dwelling density was associated with worsening BMI and WC but also highly correlated with area education and moderately correlated with count of fast food outlets. Public open space (POS) area was associated with worsening WC. Intersection density, land use mix, greenness, and a retail food environment index were not associated with change in BMI or WC. This study found greater dwelling density and POS area exacerbated increases in BMI and WC. Greater area education was protective against worsening body size. Interventions should consider dwelling density and POS, and target areas with low SES.

Highlights

IntroductionExcess body weight as a function of excess adiposity (not muscularity or pregnancy) is broadly accepted as a leading threat to health worldwide and is a major risk factor for cardiometabolic disease [1]
Excess body weight as a function of excess adiposity is broadly accepted as a leading threat to health worldwide and is a major risk factor for cardiometabolic disease [1]
Baseline body mass index (BMI) was statistically significantly correlated with area socioeconomic status (SES)

Summary

Introduction

Excess body weight as a function of excess adiposity (not muscularity or pregnancy) is broadly accepted as a leading threat to health worldwide and is a major risk factor for cardiometabolic disease [1]. Prevention of overweight/obesity has largely focused on changing individual-level behavioural risk factors such as diet and physical activity [3]. Such strategies have had limited success, with the durability of any resultant behavioural changes in doubt [4]. There is a push for public health initiatives to include attention to environmental and policy factors that may inhibit or enable. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 870; doi:10.3390/ijerph17030870 www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph

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