Abstract
We explored whether overweight and obesity were associated with the physical and social environment at neighborhood level. Data from Maastricht municipality survey (the Netherlands) were used (n = 9771 adults). Multinomial regression models were computed (outcome being normal weight, overweight, or obese). We found inconsistent associations between neighborhood social and physical environment characteristics and overweight and obesity in the total sample. The effects were more consistent and stronger for older residents (>65) and obesity as an outcome. Better scores on traffic nuisance, green space, social cohesion, nuisance, and safety were associated with lower odds of obesity among elderly (OR ranged between 0.71 [95 % CI 0.44 to 0.93] to 0.85 [95 % CI 0.74 to 0.96] for each point of improvement in neighborhood social and physical environment (scale 0–10)). We showed that there are neighborhood-level factors that are associated with obesity, particularly in elderly residents. These could be targeted in preventive strategies outside health care settings.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11524-015-9991-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
The worldwide prevalence of obesity has nearly doubled since 1980 according to the World Health Organization.[1]
The objective of this study was to explore whether overweight and obesity are associated with the specific characteristics of the physical and social neighborhood environment, after accounting for individual demographic factors and socioeconomic status, and whether the association depends on age, gender, and socioeconomic categories
Half of the respondents met the national norm for physical activity (54 %), and the average respondent reported engaging in at least moderate physical activity for a minimum of 30 min a day on 4.1 days per week
Summary
The worldwide prevalence of obesity has nearly doubled since 1980 according to the World Health Organization.[1]. Leads to a rapid growth of health care costs associated with diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal conditions, and some forms of cancer.[1] It has been suggested that four main factors relate to obesity: built environment, social environment, individual behavior, and individual genetic factors.[3] In this context, experts talk about obesogenic environments, i.e., environments that promote individual obesity-enhancing behaviors and obesity.[3,4] For example, the immediate environment can increase or reduce opportunities for healthy eating as well as stimulate or discourage physical activity (PA). The effect of the abovementioned factors are suggested to be especially pronounced in those persons who are genetically predisposed to obesity.[3]
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