Work

How Segregation Makes Us Fat: Food Behaviors and Food Environment as Mediators of the Relationship Between Residential Segregation and Individual Body Mass Index

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: Racial residential segregation affects food landscapes that dictate residents' food environments and is associated with obesity risk factors, including individual dietary patterns and behaviors. We examine if food behaviors and environments mediate the association between segregation and body mass index (BMI). METHODS: = 1,412). These data were combined with the CDC's modified retail food environment index and 2012 American Community Survey data to calculate racial segregation using various evenness and exposure indices. Multi-level mediation analyses were conducted to determine if dietary behavior and food environment mediate the association between racial residential segregation and individual BMI. RESULTS: The positive association between racial segregation and individual BMI is partially mediated by dietary behaviors and fully mediated by food environments. CONCLUSION: Racial segregation (evenness and exposure) is associated with BMI, mediated by dietary behaviors and food environment. Elements of the food environment, which form the context for dietary behaviors, are potential targets for interventions to reduce obesity in residentially segregated areas.

Source: Frontiers in Public Health

DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2018.00092

Authors: Melody Goodman, Sarah Lyons, Lorraine T. Dean, Cassandra Arroyo, James Aaron Hipp

Institutions: New York University, Washington University in St. Louis, Johns Hopkins University, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, North Carolina State University

Language: English

Topic: Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801