Neighborhoods and obesity in later life.

TitleNeighborhoods and obesity in later life.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2008
AuthorsGrafova, IB, Freedman, VA, Kumar, R, Rogowski, J
JournalAm J Public Health
Volume98
Issue11
Pagination2065-71
Date Published2008 Nov
ISSN Number1541-0048
Call Numbernewpubs20081205_Grafova.pdf
KeywordsAged, Air Pollution, Crime, Emigrants and Immigrants, Environment Design, Female, Health Status Indicators, Humans, Income, Logistic Models, Male, Middle Aged, Obesity, Odds Ratio, Overweight, Population Density, Residence Characteristics, Retirement, Social Class, Social Conditions, Social Environment, Socioeconomic factors, United States
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: We examined the influence of neighborhood environment on the weight status of adults 55 years and older.

METHODS: We conducted a 2-level logistic regression analysis of data from the 2002 wave of the Health and Retirement Study. We included 8 neighborhood scales: economic advantage, economic disadvantage, air pollution, crime and segregation, street connectivity, density, immigrant concentration, and residential stability.

RESULTS: When we controlled for individual- and family-level confounders, living in a neighborhood with a high level of economic advantage was associated with a lower likelihood of being obese for both men (odds ratio [OR] = 0.86; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.80, 0.94) and women (OR = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.77, 0.89). Men living in areas with a high concentration of immigrants and women living in areas of high residential stability were more likely to be obese. Women living in areas of high street connectivity were less likely to be overweight or obese.

CONCLUSIONS: The mechanisms by which neighborhood environment and weight status are linked in later life differ by gender, with economic and social environment aspects being important for men and built environment aspects being salient for women.

DOI10.2105/AJPH.2007.127712
User Guide Notes

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18799770?dopt=Abstract

Endnote Keywords

Obesity/Weight/Neighborhood Characteristics

Endnote ID

19540

Alternate JournalAm J Public Health
Citation Key7255
PubMed ID18799770
PubMed Central IDPMC2636421
Grant ListR01 AG024058-05 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG024058-01 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG024058-02 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG024058-04 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG024058 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
R01AG024058 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
P50 ES12383 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States
R01 AG024058-03 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
P50 ES012383 / ES / NIEHS NIH HHS / United States