Proximity to Fast Food Establishments and Childhood Obesity Prevelance

Background: Overweight infants have an increased risk of becoming obese children, adolescents, and adults. One potentially important dietary factor is the habitual consumption of fast food at an early age which is associated with adverse health outcomes. This has lead to an increased recognition of residential segregation as a contributor to health disparities.

Methods: Data was provided by the Women, Infants, and Children (W.I.C) program at MPHD in Nashville, Tennessee. W.I.C. patient charts were reviewed to determine the number of obese infants in the 37206 and 37208 zip codes who were overweight/obese based on age specific body mass index. This data was cross tabulated with an additional database of available fast food establishments, convenience stores, and grocery stores in the 37206 and 37208 zip codes. The data was analyzed using the Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping software.

Results: The GIS analysis showed there are currently 55 fast food establishments, 14 convenience stores, and two grocery stores in the 37208 zip code. There are four fast food establishments, 16 convenience stores, and five grocery stores in the 37206 zip code. This may indicate a relationship between proximity to fast food establishments and obese infants in the 37208 and 37206 zip codes.

Discussion: This research will lead to the development of community based education and intervention which have been shown to be successful in many health education initiatives. It may raise awareness to obesity among infants and develop public health policies to address lack of access to grocery stores.