Exploring the relationship between childhood obesity and proximity to the coast: A rural/urban perspective.
Childhood obesity is one of the 21st century's most serious global health challenges. Research suggests that better access to 'greenspace' (e.g. parks) may encourage physical activity and reduce the risk of obesity amongst children. We extend earlier work by considering childhood obesity in relation to proximity to the coast, using data from England's National Child Measurement Programme. Results suggest that although the overall prevalence of childhood obesity is slightly lower at the coast (-0.68% points comparing <1km to >20km, p<0.001), the relationship depends on area type. Specifically, although a coastal proximity gradient (lower obesity rates nearer the coast) was found for rural areas and smaller cities and towns, it was not present among large urban conurbations (interaction p-value<0.001). Coastal environments and access to them are changing in many areas, and research to explore potential impacts on child health is warranted.
European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro Campus, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro TR1 3HD, Cornwall, UK.
Sophie L
SL
Wood
College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Department of Geography, University of Exeter, Cornwall Campus, Penryn TR11 4DW, UK.
Philippe R
PR
Demougin
European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro Campus, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro TR1 3HD, Cornwall, UK.
Sahran
S
Higgins
NIHR CLAHRC South West Peninsula (PenCLAHRC), Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, N32, ITTC Building, Tamar Science Park, Plymouth PL6 8BX, UK.
Kerryn
K
Husk
European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro Campus, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro TR1 3HD, Cornwall, UK. Electronic address: b.w.wheeler@exeter.ac.uk.
Benedict W
BW
Wheeler
European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro Campus, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro TR1 3HD, Cornwall, UK.
Mathew
M
White
D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D009792:Oceans and Seas; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D062206:Spatial Analysis; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
Child; Coast; Obesity; Rural; Urban