Examination Of Neighboring Built Environment Related To Physique In Adolescent Japanese Children

Abstract

Adolescence is the period in which height increases the most and physique is formed. In adolescence, the risk of obesity during adulthood, which can be a risk factor for various serious events, is about 75%. On the other hand, the neighboring built environment may influence weight status. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the neighboring built environments that are associated with weight status in adolescent Japanese children. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study that included 4437 children (2215 boys, and 2222 girls) enrolled in the 5th grade to the 9th grade in Japan. Monthly age, sex, height, and weight were assessed using questionnaires, and the body mass index (BMI) percentile was calculated. Using the Geographic Information System (GIS), the number of each of seven built environments (convenience store, fast-food restaurant, family restaurant, supermarket and department store, park, exercise facility, intersection) in each school district was tabulated. Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis (stepwise method) with the BMI percentile as the dependent variable and each built environment as the independent variables. RESULTS: The number of parks (&#946; =-0.107; p<0.001) was independently associated with the BMI percentile (r=0.110). In addition, when analyzed by school type, only the number of parks (&#946; =-0.081; p<0.005) was independently related in the 5th grade and 6th grade (r=0.081), whereas the number of family restaurants (&#946; =0.168; p<0.001) and supermarkets and department stores (&#946; =-0.111; p<0.001) were independently related from the 7th grade to the 9th grade (r=0.112). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the number of neighboring parks affects the weight status of adolescent Japanese children. Furthermore, for junior high school students, the number of neighboring family restaurants and supermarlets and department stores may also affect the weight status.