Regional differences in walking frequency and BMI: what role does the built environment play for Blacks and Whites?
Studies have found that urban sprawl explains many regional differences in BMI and walking behavior. Yet, African Americans, who often live in dense, urban neighborhoods with exemplar street connectivity, suffer disproportionately from obesity. This study analyzed walking and BMI among 1124 Whites and 691 Blacks in Los Angeles County and southern Louisiana in relation to neighborhood safety, street connectivity, and walking destinations. While the built environment partly explains regional differences in walking and BMI among Whites, the magnitude of effect was modest. There were no regional differences in outcomes for African Americans; individual rather than neighborhood characteristics served as the best predictors.
Scott
Molly M
MM
The Urban Institute, Washington, DC 20037, USA. mscott@urban.org
Dubowitz
Tamara
T
Cohen
Deborah A
DA
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004779:Environment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology; D044465:White People; D055815:Young Adult