Associations between body mass index, shopping behaviors, amenity density, and characteristics of the neighborhood food environment among female adult Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants in eastern North Carolina.
We examined associations between body mass index (BMI) and the food environment among adult female Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants (N = 197) in eastern North Carolina. Food venue proximity to residential addresses was calculated using a geographic information system. Walk Score was used as a measure of amenity density. Correlation and linear regression analyses were used to examine associations between BMI and distance to and use of food venues, and residential amenity density. Frequency of supercenter use was significantly inversely associated with distance to supercenters. Walk Score was significantly inversely associated with BMI. BMI was not associated with distance to or use of any particular food venue. Future studies should examine specific health-promoting elements of amenity-dense neighborhoods accessible to limited-income populations.
Department of Public Health, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27834, USA. jilcotts@ecu.edu
Stephanie B
SB
Jilcott Pitts
Jared T
JT
McGuirt
Lucas J
LJ
Carr
Qiang
Q
Wu
Thomas C
TC
Keyserling
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D003132:Commerce; D004032:Diet; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D063105:Food Assistance; D005523:Food Supply / Q000191:economics; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009657:North Carolina; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D016138:Walking; D055815:Young Adult