Home and away: Area socioeconomic disadvantage and obesity risk. (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kimbro, Rachel Tolbert; Sharp, Gregory; Denney, Justin T.
• Is Part Of: Health & place. Volume 44(2017:Mar.)
• Page Start: 94
• Page End: 102
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: Obesity -- Neighborhoods -- Activity spaces -- Socioeconomic status; Health -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Health services accessibility -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Political planning -- Periodicals; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health Policy -- Periodicals; Health Services Accessibility -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Sociology, Medical -- Periodicals; Épidémiologie -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Santé, Services de -- Accessibilité -- Périodiques; Health services accessibility; Health -- Social aspects; Political planning; Public health; Social medicine; Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2017.02.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8292

Abstract

Abstract: Although residential context is linked to obesity risk, less is known about how the additional places where we work, shop, play, and worship may influence that risk. We employ longitudinal data from the Los Angeles Family and Neighborhood Survey (LAFANS) to derive time-weighted measures of exposure to home and activity space contexts to ascertain the impacts of each on obesity risk for adults. Results show that increased exposure to socioeconomic disadvantage in the residential neighborhood significantly increases obesity risk, and although activity space disadvantage does not directly influence obesity, it reduces the association between residential disadvantage and obesity. We further explore the ways in which residential and activity space disadvantages may interact to influence obesity and discuss the value of integrating personal exposure and activity space contexts to better understand how places contribute to individual health risks. Highlights: Residential socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with obesity risk. Activity space socioeconomic disadvantage does not predict obesity. Not accounting for activity spaces may overestimate residential effects on health.