Spatial and Census Data to Evaluate Obese Persons and their Environment (SCOPE)

Am J Health Behav. 2015 Jul;39(4):582-8. doi: 10.5993/AJHB.39.4.15.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the built environment and its relationship to BMI for individuals in eastern Idaho.

Methods: Geospatial analyses were coupled to demographic data of adult individuals. ArcGIS Community Analyst was used to compare demographics relative to median BMI.

Results: For every kilometer increase in distance to prepared food sites, BMI went down by 1.3% and every kilometer increase in distance to green space, BMI went down by 0.8% (p < .001). For every kilometer increase in distance to trails, BMI went up by 1.5%. No other built environment variables had a statistically significant association with BMI.

Conclusion: The distance to prepared foods and trails was associated with expected changes in BMI. Conversely, increased distance to green space was associated with a lower BMI.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Censuses
  • Electronic Health Records
  • Environment Design / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Humans
  • Idaho / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / epidemiology*
  • Obesity / etiology
  • Rural Population / statistics & numerical data
  • Spatial Analysis
  • Urban Population / statistics & numerical data