BMI, auto use, and the urban environment in San Francisco

Pendola, Rocco; Gen, Sheldon

doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2006.02.004

Cited by 55 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…The literature suggests that levels of physical activity (walking for transportation and recreation, and vigorous exercise) increase in neighbourhoods with ''traditional'' or ''walkable'' designs and where there are pleasant safe parks and green spaces (Bauman et al, 1999;Ellaway, Macintyre, & Bonnefoy, 2005). Walkabillity, was associated with higher levels of moderate PA (Physical Activity) (Cerin et al, 2007), and reduction in body mass index (Frank et al, 2006;Leslie et al, 2007;Pendola & Gen, 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The link between local environment and obesity: A multilevel analysis in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, Portugal

Santana

Santos

Nogueira

2009

Social Science & Medicine

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a b s t r a c tAlthough individual factors have been shown to predict weight gain, contextual determinants have also attracted attention, with some authors stressing the role played by deprivation, urban sprawl, social capital and safety. Recent evidence has implicated environmental factors that facilitate the consumption of excess calories and/or make it more difficult to expend them in routine physical activity. The interrelationships found in some places between physical and social environments (key mediators) and body mass index (BMI), as well as the potential that exists for the development of healthier places, mean that more research is required into the contextual determinants of health. In Portugal, particularly in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area (LMA), the effects of physical and social environments on physical activity and BMI have not previously been explored in any detail. This study aims to highlight the associations between residential (physical and social) environment and the risk of weight gain and obesity, over and above individual attributes, assessing which indicators are the best predictors of excess weight in the LMA. The study involved data from 7669 individuals aged 18 and over from 143 neighbourhoods. Self-reported body height and weight were used to define overweight body mass index (BMI ! 25). BMI and individual (socio-demographic and behavioural) characteristics were linked to contextual data and analysed in a multilevel framework. Our findings show that different environmental factors are significantly associated with excess weight and obesity, either directly or indirectly (e.g. health-related behaviours such as eating patterns and physical activity, which are key mediators), after adjustment for individual characteristics. The results suggest that a deeper understanding of these mechanisms is critical if we want to tackle the obesity epidemic, and that policies aimed at weight control and obesity reduction must address people and places in order to bear fruit.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The link between local environment and obesity: A multilevel analysis in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, Portugal

Santana

Santos

Nogueira

2009

Social Science & Medicine

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“…24 These characteristics are more likely to promote walkability and physical activity. 7,10,14,36 Further, people living in sprawling suburbs are more likely to drive their car 7,37 and more likely to have a higher BMI. 38 Not all aspects of high urban sprawl, however, may be detrimental to health.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Urban Sprawl on Overweight, Obesity, and Physical Activity in Sydney, Australia

Garden

Jalaludin

2008

J Urban Health

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Obesity and inadequate physical activity are major risk factors for many diseases. The built environment plays an important role in influencing participation in physical activity. We aimed to determine whether urban sprawl in Sydney, Australia is associated with overweight/obesity and levels of physical activity. We used a crosssectional multilevel study design to relate urban sprawl (based on population density) measured at an area level to overweight/obesity and levels of physical activity measured at an individual level whilst controlling for individual and area level covariates in metropolitan Sydney. Individual level data were obtained from the 2002 and 2003 New South Wales Population Health Survey. We had information on 7,290 respondents. The mean population density was 2,168 persons per square kilometer (standard deviation= 1,741, range=218-7,045). After controlling for individual and area level covariates, for an inter-quartile increase in sprawl, the odds of being overweight was 1.26 (95% CI= 1.10-1.44), the odds of being obese was 1.47 (95% CI=1.24-1.75), the odds of inadequate physical activity was 1.38 (95% CI=1.21-1.57), and the odds of not spending any time walking during the past week was 1.58 (95% CI=1.28-1.93). Living in more sprawling suburbs increases the risk of overweight/obesity and inadequate physical activity despite the relatively low levels of urban sprawl in metropolitan Sydney. Modifications to the urban environment to increase physical activity may be worthwhile.

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“…Public transport can also contribute to the practice of physical activity, because accessing transport services often requires walking 28,29 . Evidence also shows that car use and car dependence is a risk factor for obesity because excess driving leads to an imbalance between energy consumption and energy expenditure 30 . In fact, transport-related physical activity is a protective factor for chronic diseases, stress and obesity 31,32 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%