BackgroundThe food environment has been implicated as an underlying contributor to the global obesity epidemic. However, few studies have evaluated the relationship between the food environment, dietary intake, and overweight/obesity in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The aim of this study was to assess the association of full service and fast food restaurant density with dietary intake and overweight/obesity in Delhi, India.MethodsData are from a cross-sectional, population-based study conducted in Delhi. Using multilevel cluster random sampling, 5364 participants were selected from 134 census enumeration blocks (CEBs). Geographic information system data were available for 131 CEBs (n = 5264) from a field survey conducted using hand-held global positioning system devices. The number of full service and fast food restaurants within a 1-km buffer of CEBs was recorded by trained staff using ArcGIS software, and participants were assigned to tertiles of full service and fast food restaurant density based on their resident CEB. Height and weight were measured using standardized procedures and overweight/obesity was defined as a BMI ≥25 kg/m2.ResultsThe most common full service and fast food restaurants were Indian savory restaurants (57.2%) and Indian sweet shops (25.8%). Only 14.1% of full service and fast food restaurants were Western style. After adjustment for age, household income, education, and tobacco and alcohol use, participants in the highest tertile of full service and fast food restaurant density were less likely to consume fruit and more likely to consume refined grains compared to participants in the lowest tertile (both p < 0.05). In unadjusted logistic regression models, participants in the highest versus lowest tertile of full service and fast food restaurant density were significantly more likely to be overweight/obese: odds ratio (95% confidence interval), 1.44 (1.24, 1.67). After adjustment for age, household income, and education, the effect was attenuated: 1.08 (0.92, 1.26). Results were consistent with further adjustment for tobacco and alcohol use, moderate physical activity, and owning a bicycle or motorized vehicle.ConclusionsMost full service and fast food restaurants were Indian, suggesting that the nutrition transition in this megacity may be better characterized by the large number of unhealthy Indian food outlets rather than the Western food outlets. Full service and fast food restaurant density in the residence area of adults in Delhi, India, was associated with poor dietary intake. It was also positively associated with overweight/obesity, but this was largely explained by socioeconomic status. Further research is needed exploring these associations prospectively and in other LMICs.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-017-4598-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Coastline or Shoreline calculation is one of the important factors in the finding of coastal accretion and erosion and the study of coastal morphodynamic. Coastal erosion is a tentative hazard for communities especially in coastal areas as it is extremely susceptible to increasing coastal disasters. The study has been conducted along the coast of Vishakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh, India with the help of multi-temporal satellite images of 1991 2001, 2011 and 2018. The continuing coastal erosion and accretion rates have been calculated using the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS). Linear regression rate (LRR), End Point Rate (EPR) and Weighted Linear Regression (WLR) are used for calculating shoreline change rate. Based on calculations the district shoreline has been classified into five categories as high and low erosion, no change and high and low accretion. Out of 135 km, high erosion occupied 5.8 km of coast followed by moderate or low erosion 46.2 km. Almost 34.7 km coastal length showed little or no change. Moderate accretion is found along 30.5 km whereas high accretion trend found around 17.8 km. The outcome of shows that erosion is prevailing in Vishakhapatnam taluk, Ankapalli taluk, Yellamanchili taluk whereas most of the Bhemunipatnam coast is accreting. Natural and manmade activities and phenomena influence the coastal areas in terms of erosion and accretion. The study could be used for further planning and development and also for disaster management authority in the decision-making process in the study area.
Green space exposure has been positively correlated with better mental-health indicators in several high income countries, but has not been examined in low- and middle-income countries undergoing rapid urbanization. Building on a study of mental health in adults with a pre-existing chronic condition, we examined the association between park availability and major depression among 1208 adults surveyed in Delhi, India. Major depression was measured using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. The ArcGIS platform was used to quantify park availability indexed as (i) park distance from households, (ii) area of the nearest park; and within one km buffer area around households - the (iii) number and (iv) total area of all parks. Mixed-effects logistic regression models adjusted for socio-demographic characteristics indicated that relative to residents exposed to the largest nearest park areas (tertile 3), the odds [95% confidence interval] of major depression was 3.1 [1.4-7.0] times higher among residents exposed to the smallest nearest park areas (tertile 1) and 2.1 [0.9-4.8] times higher in residents with mid-level exposure (tertile 2). There was no statistically significant association between other park variables tested and major depression. We hypothesized that physical activity in the form of walking, perceived stress levels and satisfaction with the neighbourhood environment may have mediating effects on the association between nearest park area and major depression. We found no significant mediation effects for any of our hypothesized variables. In conclusion, our results provide preliminary and novel evidence from India that availability of large parks in the immediate neighborhood positively impacts mental well-being of individuals with pre-existing chronic conditions, at the opportune time when India is embarking on the development of sustainable cities that aim to promote health through smart urban design – one of the key elements of which is the inclusion of urban green spaces.
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