Novel Method for Measuring Neighborhood Walkability and the Relationship to Childhood Obesity

Abstract

Childhood obesity is a growing phenomenon and concern, associated with health problems throughout life and obesity in adulthood. Understanding the contributing factors to childhood obesity can guide interventions and built environments to promote healthy weights. Evidence shows that “walkable” neighborhoods are associated with less obesity in adults, but it remains unclear what the relationship is between walkability and childhood obesity. Walkability can be defined as neighborhoods with mixed land-use (i.e. many destinations to walk to), network connectivity (i.e. contiguous sidewalks), and perceptions of safety and comfort. Studies have concluded that neighborhood walkability is associated with increased physical activity in children but have been inconclusive on this relationship with obesity. Additionally, most studies measuring childhood walkability studies rely on methods utilized for adult walkability studies. My current research on childhood walkability and its association with obesity explores the built environment and factors that promote neighborhood walkability for children. Geospatial data from children in the Health Start Cohort in Denver was created in ArcGIS with weighted destinations to reflect the likelihood that children will walk to that destination. An index of 14 destinations was created, divided by 4 categories; food, neighborhood amenities and services, recreation, and transportation. The development of these weights was informed by WalkScore’s method of measuring walkability but differ in that they are tailored specifically with children in mind. For example, schools and parks are weighted more heavily than restaurants or grocery stores. While closer proximity of a child’s address to a destination (within 400-800 meters) does not increase the child specific walk score, the type of destination does. The network analyst tool in ArcGIS will determine sidewalk and trail connectivity to these weighted destinations. This research will explore if increased physical activity due to a walkable neighborhood is protective against childhood obesity.