title: The association between obesity and urban food environments.
abstract: Several studies have examined associations between the food retail environment and obesity, though virtually no work has been done in the urban South, where obesity rates are among the highest in the country. This study assessed associations between access to food retail outlets and obesity in New Orleans. Data on individual characteristics and body weight were collected by telephone interviews from a random sample of adults (N = 3,925) living in New Orleans in 2004-2005. The neighborhood of each individual was geo-mapped by creating a 2-km buffer around the center point of the census tract in which they lived. Food retailer counts were created by summing the total number of each food store type and fast food establishment within this 2-km neighborhood. Hierarchical linear models assessed associations between access to food retailers and obesity status. After adjusting for individual characteristics, each additional supermarket in a respondent's neighborhood was associated with a reduced odds for obesity (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.88-0.99). Fast food restaurant (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.02) and convenience store (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.02) access were each predictive of greater obesity odds. An individual's access to food stores and fast food restaurants may play a part in determining weight status. Future studies with longitudinal and experimental designs are needed to test whether modifications in the food environment may assist in the prevention of obesity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health Sciences, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, 1440 Canal Street, Suite 2301, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA. nbodor@tulane.edu
authors.forename: J Nicholas
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Bodor
authors.forename: Janet C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Rice
authors.forename: Thomas A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Farley
authors.forename: Chris M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Swalm
authors.forename: Donald
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rose
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003132:Commerce / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D057140:Fast Foods; D005260:Female; D005523:Food Supply / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055820:New Orleans; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012147:Restaurants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
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