Associations of Density and Proximity of Fast Food Restaurants with Dietary Intake and Body Mass Index among an African American Cohort

The increasing prevalence of obesity among African American adults in the U.S. is a major public health concern. While obesity is multifaceted, there is growing evidence suggesting the influence of the built environment on dietary intake and body mass index (BMI). For example, a recent study found significant positive associations between the density of fast-food restaurants (FFRs) around the homes of African Americans aged <55 years and total energy intake. Unfortunately, the numbers of FFRs are increasing nationally, and this trend is elevated in predominately African American communities. The current study examined associations of residential proximity to FFRs, and the density of FFRs around the home, with fruit and vegetable (FV) intake and BMI among 1371 African American adults from a larger cohort study (75% female, mean age=45 +12.9 years). Regression models were run to examine associations between FFRs and BMI and average daily FV intake, while controlling for age, gender, education, marital status, income, employment, and (for BMI) physical activity. Results indicated that closer residential proximity to FFRs, but not FFR density around the home, was associated with higher BMI (β = -.75, SE=.27; t=-2.83; p=.005). No significant associations were found between FFRs and FV intake. Implications include that the sheer numbers of FFRs in the community are less important to BMI than the close availability of only one FFR. Additional research is needed, but findings suggest the potential utility of imposing zoning regulations around communities to decrease residential proximity to FFRs and reduce their potential influence on BMI.