Risk Increase of Young Adult Obesity with GIS Mapping of Higher Problematic Areas of Obesity using Student's Residential Zip-Code for Health Program Initiative (Pilot)

Obesity has a greater risk increase among African-American adults (51%) than any other ethnical or racial background according to CDC obesity data. Trends in obesity usually start with a young adult’s diet and nutrition (age 18-24), and the greatest obesity rates are within the ages of 18-29. This study is made to show trends of diet and nutrition in young adults (men and women between the ages of 18-24) at Tennessee State University (TSU) during their transition into college based on health behaviors from surveys collected. Geographical Information System (GIS) will be used to show the mapping of student’s origin, based on their residential FIPS code. Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) will be used to show which areas contributes greatly to young adult obesity, by use of significant variables using spatial analysis. Using the Social-Ecologic Model will provide a sequential layout of social stages for the student(s) in regards to “being healthy” (mentally and physically), and what factors can be addressed in health behavior(s) for the student, as they continue their education within their environment. Results will help to show what development and implementation methods are needed to reverse and/or hinder the impact of results in young adult obesity, based on particular behaviors that impact their transition from residential location to college. This study will hopefully be useful in program development and implementation to other HBCU campuses such as Fisk University and Meharry Medical College in the Nashville area, in hope to expand to all HBCU’s nationwide.