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The Independent Associations between Walk Score ® and Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status, Waist Circumference, Waist-To-Hip Ratio and Body Mass Index Among Urban Adults

Author

Listed:
  • Gavin R. McCormack

    (Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada)

  • Anita Blackstaffe

    (Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada)

  • Alberto Nettel-Aguirre

    (Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada
    Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T3B 6A8, Canada)

  • Ilona Csizmadi

    (Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada
    Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada)

  • Beverly Sandalack

    (Faculty of Environmental Design, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

  • Francisco Alaniz Uribe

    (Faculty of Environmental Design, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

  • Afrah Rayes

    (Urban Design and Heritage, City of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2P 2M5, Canada)

  • Christine Friedenreich

    (Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
    Department of Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research, CancerControl Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, AB T2S 3C3, Canada)

  • Melissa L. Potestio

    (Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4Z6, Canada)

Abstract

Background : Environmental and policy factors can influence weight status via facilitating or discouraging physical activity and healthy diet. Despite mixed evidence, some findings suggest that the neighborhood built environment, including “walkability”, is associated with overweight and obesity. Most of these findings have measured body mass index (BMI), yet other weight status measures including waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-hip (W-H) ratio are also predictive of health outcomes, independent of BMI. Our study aim was to estimate the associations between walkability, measured using Walk Score ® , and each of WC, W-H ratio, and BMI among urban Canadian adults. Methods : In 2014, n = 851 adults recruited from 12 structurally and socioeconomic diverse neighborhoods (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) provided complete data on a physical activity, health and demographic questionnaire and self-reported anthropometric measures (i.e., height and weight, WC and hip circumference). Anthropometric data were used to estimate WC, W-H ratio, and BMI which were categorized into low and high risk in relation to their potential adverse effect on health. WC and BMI were also combined to provide a proxy measure of both overall and abdominal adiposity. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations between each weight status outcome and Walk Score ® . Results : A one-unit increase in Walk Score ® was associated with lower odds of being high-risk based on WC (OR = 0.99; 95%CI 0.97–0.99). Notably, those residing in socioeconomically disadvantage neighborhoods had significantly higher odds of being high risk based on WC, BMI, and WC-BMI combined compared with advantaged neighborhoods. Conclusions : Interventions that promote healthy weight through the design of neighborhoods that support and enhance the effect of physical activity and diet-related interventions could have a significant population health impact.

Suggested Citation

  • Gavin R. McCormack & Anita Blackstaffe & Alberto Nettel-Aguirre & Ilona Csizmadi & Beverly Sandalack & Francisco Alaniz Uribe & Afrah Rayes & Christine Friedenreich & Melissa L. Potestio, 2018. "The Independent Associations between Walk Score ® and Neighborhood Socioeconomic Status, Waist Circumference, Waist-To-Hip Ratio and Body Mass Index Among Urban Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:6:p:1226-:d:151771
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Eun Jung Kim & Jiyeong Kim & Hyunjung Kim, 2020. "Neighborhood Walkability and Active Transportation: A Correlation Study in Leisure and Shopping Purposes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-16, March.

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