title: Associations between natural amenities, physical activity, and body mass index in 100 North Carolina counties.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine associations between county-level natural amenities, physical activity (PA), and body mass index (BMI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study among 100 North Carolina counties.
  
  
  METHODS
  We obtained percentage of county residents meeting PA criteria and county-wide means for reported height and weight from the North Carolina Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, combining years 2003, 2005, and 2007. The county natural amenities scale was the independent variable. Potential county-level covariates were percentage rural, percentage black, median age, and median household income (Census 2000).
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted weighted bivariate and linear regression analyses to examine relationships between natural amenities, aggregate PA, and aggregate BMI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  BMI and natural amenities were negatively associated (parameter estimate  =  -.13 (.06), p  =  .03). When percentage meeting PA criteria was included, the parameter estimate attenuated 15%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was an inverse relationship between natural amenities and BMI, partially mediated by PA.
authors: Department of Public Health, Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27834, USA. jilcotts@ecu.edu
authors: Stephanie B
authors: SB
authors: Jilcott
authors: Justin B
authors: JB
authors: Moore
authors: Kindal A
authors: KA
authors: Shores
authors: Satomi
authors: S
authors: Imai
authors: David A
authors: DA
authors: McGranahan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D005843:Geography; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009657:North Carolina; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014505:Urban Population