David G. Schlundt, PhD, Department of Psychology, Vanderbilt University, 301 Wilson Hall, Nashville, TN 37203, (615) 322-7800, david.schlundt@vanderbilt.edu and Celia O. Larson, PhD, Metropolitan Nashville Davidson County Health Department, 311 23rd Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37203.

Background: Environments influence and constrain nutritional and exercise behaviors that contribute to the epidemic of obesity and diabetes. The purpose of this paper is to examine features of the environment that are associated with health behaviors (eating and exercise) and outcomes (obesity, hypertension, diabetes).

Method: Data from the 2000 US census SF3 data file were obtained for Nashville, Tennessee. Common questions from two interview studies conducted in Nashville were used to create a data set of 7,659 respondents with geocoded addresses. Variables extracted from the SF3 for census tracts were grouped using hierarchical cluster analysis. Means and percentages on behavioral and health variables were calculated from the survey data for each of 129 census tracts.

Results: Twelve clusters of environmental variable were identified (poverty, crowding, urban core, low SES, aging residential, family residential, born outside TN, immigrants, rental units, rental costs, intelligentsia, accumulated wealth). Correlations between environmental measures and health outcomes across the census tracts ranged from -0.66 to 0.64 with a mean correlation of 0.32 for hypertension, 0.17 for high cholesterol, 0.36 for BMI, 0.31 for diabetes, and 0.34 for self-rated health. Correlations with behavioral variables ranged from -0.60 to 0.59 with a mean correlation of 0.35 for physical activity, 0.15 for stage of change for eating fruits and vegetables, and 0.25 for dietary fat stage of change.

Conclusions: Physical and social environmental factors are associated with health behaviors and outcomes. Our method identifies how clusters of variables relate to health outcomes, however conclusions cannot be drawn about causality.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe a method for characterizing the social and physical environment using readily available census data.
• Discuss the relationship between environmental characteristics and health behaviors and outcomes.
• Consider the implications for public policy and city planning.

Related Web page: healthbehavior.psy.vanderbilt.edu/reach/index.htm

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.