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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

LaVerne A. Berkel, PhD, Counseling Psychology and Counselor Education, University of Missouri - Kansas City, 4825 Troost Ave, Suite 124, Kansas City, MO 64110, 816-235-6478, BerkelL@umkc.edu

Studies have documented a consistent relationship between obesity and socioeconomic status/neighborhood impoverishment. Unfortunately, little research has focused on the precise environmental factors that might account for this relationship. We examined the relationship between obesity prevalence and the frequency of fast-food restaurants, convenience stores, and bars in two census block-groups in Kansas City. These variables were selected because they are most likely to provide foods high in fat and total caloric density. The block-groups were selected based on high or low median income according to the U.S. Census and then matched for population density. Households within the selected block-groups were telephonically surveyed about their health status. Community teams surveyed a 0.75-mile radius around the block-groups and ascertained the frequency of fast-food, convenience stores, and bars. Survey respondents in both the low- and high-median income groups were primarily female (85% and 81%). Respondents in the low-median income block-group were somewhat younger (44.716.5 vs. 55.618.8) and more likely to be minorities (59% vs. 21%) than those in the high-median income block-group. After direct standardization to the U.S. Census, the adjusted obesity prevalence for the low- and high-median income block groups was 43% vs. 24%, respectively. The frequency of fast-food, convenience stores, and bars (per 1000 persons) was 16.9 vs. 1.2, 8.4 vs. 1.2, and 14.5 vs. 2.3 for low- vs. high-median income block-groups, respectively. These preliminary data suggest that the higher frequency of outlets providing calorically-dense foods and alcohol may contribute to greater obesity prevalence in residents of low-income neighborhoods.

Learning Objectives:

• a. Review different etiological factors contributing to the current obesity epidemic
• b. Discuss limitations of current approaches to understanding the causes of obesity
• c. Define the built environment and its potential role in the obesity epidemic
• d. Review the literature on the relationship between built environment factors and obesity risk

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No