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The Impact of Violent Crime on Obesity

Author

Listed:
  • Lisa Stolzenberg

    (Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA)

  • Stewart J. D’Alessio

    (Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA)

  • Jamie L. Flexon

    (Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA)

Abstract

Dwelling in a violence-plagued neighborhood may amplify obesity by engendering psychological distress or by cultivating a sedentary, homebound lifestyle. This relationship is speculated to be especially relevant for black and Hispanic citizens because they are much more likely than whites to live in violence-beleaguered neighborhoods. Results from two multilevel analyses of 12,645 residents living in 34 New York City neighborhoods show that, while the violent crime rate does not have a direct effect on obesity, it does condition the relationships between race, ethnicity, and obesity. As the violent crime rate rises in a neighborhood, the probability of both a black and Hispanic resident being obese increases, controlling for both individual and neighborhood factors. The BMI of black and Hispanic residents is also higher in neighborhoods beset by violence. These findings suggest that violent crime may be a salient but unappreciated factor in explaining both racial and ethnic differences in obesity.

Suggested Citation

  • Lisa Stolzenberg & Stewart J. D’Alessio & Jamie L. Flexon, 2019. "The Impact of Violent Crime on Obesity," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:8:y:2019:i:12:p:329-:d:296049
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Dave, Dhaval M. & Friedson, Andrew I. & Matsuzawa, Kyutaro & Sabia, Joseph J. & Safford, Samuel, 2020. "Black Lives Matter Protests, Social Distancing, and COVID-19," IZA Discussion Papers 13388, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. Dhaval M. Dave & Andrew I. Friedson & Kyutaro Matsuzawa & Joseph J. Sabia & Samuel Safford, 2020. "Black Lives Matter Protests and Risk Avoidance: The Case of Civil Unrest During a Pandemic," NBER Working Papers 27408, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    4. Hoggard, Lori S. & Volpe, Vanessa V. & Hatton, Vanessa L. & Jones, Steven J. & Tikhonov, Aleksandr A. & Davis, Sarah E., 2023. "“Now I just need something sweet”: Racism, emotional eating, and health among African Americans," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 316(C).

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