title: Built environment and change in body mass index in older women.
abstract: We examined the association between neighborhood walkability and changes in body mass index (BMI) and obesity during a 14-year follow-up among community-dwelling women 71 years of age on average (n=1008 representing 253 census tracts). Multilevel models predicted change in BMI or incidence of obesity controlling for age, marital status, number of incident comorbidities, self rated health, and death, over a follow-up of 14 years. Among non-sedentary older women, average BMI remained stable (β=0.007, p=0.291); risk of becoming obese increased 3% per year (odds ratio=1.03, 95% CI 1.01, 1.05). Walkability was not associated with BMI or risk of obesity. Future research should consider additional neighborhood characteristics relevant to older adults, such as proximity to retail, public transit, or parks.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University School of Public Health, 1505 Race Street, MS 1033, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA. michaely@drexel.edu
authors.forename: Yvonne L
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Michael
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gold
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Perrin
authors.forename: Teresa A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Hillier
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004779:Environment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control; D016017:Odds Ratio; D009922:Oregon; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016138:Walking