Interactions between Neighbourhood Urban Form and Socioeconomic Status and Their Associations with Anthropometric Measurements in Canadian Adults

Abstract

Neighbourhood-level socioeconomic composition and built context are correlates of weight-related behaviours. We investigated the relations between objective measures of neighbourhood design and socioeconomic status (SES) and their interaction, in relation to self-reported waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio, and body mass index (BMI) in a sample of Canadian adults (n = 851 from 12 Calgary neighbourhoods). WC and BMI were higher among residents of disadvantaged neighbourhoods, independent of neighbourhood design (grid, warped grid, and curvilinear street patterns) and individual-level characteristics (sex, age, education, income, dog ownership, marital status, number of dependents, motor vehicle access, smoking, sleep, mental health, physical health, and past attempts to modify bodyweight). The association between neighbourhood-level SES and WC was modified by neighbourhood design; WC was higher in disadvantaged-curvilinear neighbourhoods and lower in advantaged-grid neighbourhoods. Policies making less obesogenic neighbourhoods affordable to low socioeconomic households and that improve the supportiveness for behaviours leading to healthy weight in low socioeconomic neighbourhoods are necessary.

Sociodemographic and Lifestyle Factors in relation to Overweight Defined by BMI and “Normal-Weight Obesity”

“…e lower BMI found in participants with higher education, and the higher BMI and overweight found in participants on sick leave/disability, is in line with previous research, which has shown that obesity is associated with sociodemographic factors, especially in women [10,23,24]. Overall, a higher neighborhood level and higher socioeconomic status were observed to be associated with a lower BMI, waist circumference, and waist/hip ratio [25]. is may be due to a healthier diet in subjects with a higher level of education, income, and socioeconomic status [12], as well as a higher degree of physical activity [25].…”

“…Overall, a higher neighborhood level and higher socioeconomic status were observed to be associated with a lower BMI, waist circumference, and waist/hip ratio [25]. is may be due to a healthier diet in subjects with a higher level of education, income, and socioeconomic status [12], as well as a higher degree of physical activity [25]. However, the associations have to be interpreted with caution.…”

Test-Retest Reliability and Walk Score® Neighbourhood Walkability Comparison of an Online Perceived Neighbourhood-Specific Adaptation of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)

“…The sample list for the current methods study was derived from a database of participants from a larger study (i.e., Pathways to Health) investigating the relations between neighbourhoods, physical activity, diet, and weight status. The methods for the Pathways to Health study have been described in detail elsewhere [23,24]; however, briefly, in April 2014 n = 173 established Calgary (Alberta, Canada) neighbourhoods were stratified into 12 strata. Strata were based on the neighbourhood street pattern (grid, warped grid, and curvilinear) and socioeconomic status (advantaged, somewhat advantaged, somewhat disadvantaged, and disadvantaged).…”

“…These relationships have been tested in different countries, such as Canada [28], Australia [29], France [30], Sweden [6], and the United States [31], with studies finding an increased likelihood of transportation walking with increasing access to services and street connectivity. The estimation of neighbourhood socioeconomic status, described elsewhere [23,24], was based on 2006 Canadian census data and included the proportion of those 25–64 years of age who obtained less than a high school diploma; the proportion of single-parent families and the proportion of divorced, separated, or widowed among those ≥15 years of age; the proportion of individuals renting private dwellings and the average value of dwellings; the proportion of unemployment among those ≥25 years of age, and median gross household income.…”

Perceived Neighbourhood Problems over Time and Associations with Adiposity

“…Some studies have shown that living in more deprived neighbourhoods is associated with obesity, even after individual characteristics such as socio-economic status, gender, and age are taken into account [ 12 , 13 ]. The importance of the residential environment in influencing obesity is further elucidated by findings that moving to deprived neighbourhoods is associated with an increase in obesity [ 14 , 15 ].…”