Childhood obesity tied to neighborhood features

Scientists of Seattle Children's Research Institute used geographic information systems (GIS) to assess Seattle and San Diego area neighborhoods' nutrition and physical activity environments.

The study, the largest of its kind ever conducted, focused on supermarket availability and concentration of fast food restaurants as markers to evaluate nutrition environments and access to healthy food.

The study also weighed up physical activity environments based on factors such as walkability and proximity to higher quality parks.

Findings showed that the rates of childhood obesity was the highest and about 16 percent in the studied areas while only 8 percent of kids living in healthier neighborhoods were obese.

In other words, children living in neighborhoods with better access to health tonic choices were at a 59 percent lower risk of being obese, says the article published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

“People think of childhood obesity and immediately think about an individual's physical activity and nutrition behaviors, but they do not necessarily equate obesity with where people live. Everyone from parents to policymakers should pay more attention to zip codes because they could have a big impact on weight,” said lead author Brian Saelens who also works for the University of Washington.

“Our data support recommendations from these groups that we need to change our environments to make them more supportive of physical activity and nutrition,” Saelens added.

The findings suggest that positive changes in the environment that make healthy lifestyle choices more available can help improving public health and specially children’s well being.