American Journal of Epidemiology Advance Access originally published online on January 19, 2009
American Journal of Epidemiology 2009 169(4):401-408; doi:10.1093/aje/kwn398
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ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTIONS |
Built Environment and 1-Year Change in Weight and Waist Circumference in Middle-Aged and Older Adults
Portland Neighborhood Environment and Health Study
Correspondence to Dr. Fuzhong Li, Oregon Research Institute, 1715 Franklin Boulevard, Eugene, OR 97403 (e-mail: fuzhongl{at}ori.org).
Received for publication May 11, 2008. Accepted for publication September 18, 2008.
This study examined neighborhood built environment characteristics (fast-food restaurant density, walkability) and individual eating-out and physical activity behaviors in relation to 1-year change in body weight among adults 50–75 years of age at baseline. The authors surveyed 1,145 residents recruited from 120 neighborhoods in Portland, Oregon. During the 1-year follow-up (2006–2007 to 2007–2008), mean weight increased by 1.72 kg (standard deviation, 4.3) and mean waist circumference increased by 1.76 cm (standard deviation, 5.6). Multilevel analyses revealed that neighborhoods with a high density of fast-food outlets were associated with increases of 1.40 kg in weight (P < 0.05) and 2.04 cm in waist circumference (P < 0.05) among residents who visited fast-food restaurants frequently. In contrast, high-walkability neighborhoods were associated with decreases of 1.2 kg in weight (P < 0.05) and 1.57 cm in waist circumference (P < 0.05) among residents who increased their levels of vigorous physical activity during the 1-year assessment period. Findings point to the negative influences of the availability of neighborhood fast-food outlets and individual unhealthy eating behaviors that jointly affect weight gain; however, better neighborhood walkability and increased levels of physical activity are likely to be associated with maintaining a healthy weight over time.
body weight changes; environment; exercise; prospective studies; residence characteristics; urban health
Editor's note: An invited commentary on this article appears on page 409, and the authors' response is published on page 413.
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Related articles in Am. J. Epidemiol.:
- Invited Commentary: Built Environment and Obesity Among Older Adults—Can Neighborhood-level Policy Interventions Make a Difference?
- Yvonne L. Michael and Irene H. Yen
Am. J. Epidemiol. 2009 169: 409-412.[Abstract] [FREE Full Text] - Li et al. Respond to "Can Neighborhood-level Interventions Make a Difference?"
- Fuzhong Li, Peter Harmer, and Bradley J. Cardinal
Am. J. Epidemiol. 2009 169: 413-414.[Extract] [FREE Full Text]
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  Y. L. Michael and I. H. Yen Invited Commentary: Built Environment and Obesity Among Older Adults--Can Neighborhood-level Policy Interventions Make a Difference? Am. J. Epidemiol., February 15, 2009; 169(4): 409 - 412. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
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F. Li, P. Harmer, and B. J. Cardinal Li et al. Respond to "Can Neighborhood-level Interventions Make a Difference?" Am. J. Epidemiol., February 15, 2009; 169(4): 413 - 414. [Full Text] [PDF]
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