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Does Compact Built Environment Help to Reduce Obesity? Influence of Population Density on Waist–Hip Ratio in Chinese Cities

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  • Chun Yin

    (Research Center for China Administrative Division, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
    Institute of Eco-Chongming, Shanghai 202162, China
    Future City Lab, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China)

  • Bindong Sun

    (Research Center for China Administrative Division, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
    Institute of Eco-Chongming, Shanghai 202162, China
    Future City Lab, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China)

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the non-linear association between population density and obesity in China and to provide empirical evidence for the public health orientated guideline of urban planning. By conducting a longitudinal study with data collected from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) between 2004 and 2011, we applied fixed-effect models to assess the non-linear association between the compact built environment and waist–hip ratio (WHR), controlling for sex, age, nationality, education, employment status, marital status, household size, household income, and residents’ attitudes. Our findings reveal that the built environment is one of the key determinants of obesity. The U-shaped influence of population density on WHR was observed. Moreover, influence differs according to sex and weight status. Our findings indicate healthy city planning has the potential to improve the built environment to reduce obesity risk and promote public health.

Suggested Citation

  • Chun Yin & Bindong Sun, 2020. "Does Compact Built Environment Help to Reduce Obesity? Influence of Population Density on Waist–Hip Ratio in Chinese Cities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-16, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:21:p:7746-:d:433509
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Faisal Bin Sulaiman, 2023. "Compact City: What Is the Extent of Our Exploration for Its Meanings? A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-22, June.
    2. Lingling Su & Suhong Zhou, 2022. "Long-Term Residential Environment Exposure and Subjective Wellbeing in Later Life in Guangzhou, China: Moderated by Residential Mobility History," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-18, October.
    3. Jessica Yu & Paul Gustafson & Martino Tran & Michael Brauer, 2022. "Assessing Trade-Offs and Optimal Ranges of Density for Life Expectancy and 12 Causes of Mortality in Metro Vancouver, Canada, 1990–2016," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-17, March.

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