Urban environment and obesity: A contextual analysis of a pilot study in Paris (France)

Introduction: Paris is characterized by its heterogeneous demographic composition, the disparate texture of a dense urban environment and very high population densities. There are cities in the city. In this context, we hypothesize that residence places determine partly population health and its behaviors, especially at the neighborhood level. It is well known that obesity is influenced by genetic and behavioral factors, but the environmental influences have yet to be fully explored.

Methods: The study was based on a phone survey among a sample of the Parisian population. We designed a complex sample protocol with three degrees random sampling. The questionnaire included modules about self-reported measures e of height and weight, poverty, smoking status, perceived health and social capital. The data analysis is based on multilevel models to take account of the hierarchical structure of the data.

Results: Between November 2006 and December 2006, 850 computer-assisted telephone interviews wercompleted. The results presented here concern only the land line owners (N=738). Mean BMI for men was 24.2 and was 22.2 for women. Main individual risk factors of obesity are gender, family income, social capital and eating behavior. The first contextual analyses indicate a strong neighborhood effect on obesity.

Discussion /Conclusion: This pilot study allows gathering statistical data concerning perceived health and behaviors among the Parisian population. The first analyses help to better understand the individual determinants of behaviors and allow taking into account neighborhoods characteristics.