Abstract
Background: Ecological models of health behaviour are an important conceptual framework to address the multiple correlates of obesity. Several single-country studies previously examined the relationship between the built environment and obesity in adults, but results are very diverse. An important reason for these mixed results is the limited variability in built environments in these single-country studies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine associations between perceived neighbourhood built environmental attributes and BMI/weight status in a multi-country study including 12 environmentally and culturally diverse countries. Methods: A multi-site cross-sectional study was conducted in 17 cities (study sites) across 12 countries (Australia, Belgium, Brazil, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, the UK and USA). Participants (n = 14222, 18-66 years) self-reported perceived neighbourhood environmental attributes. Height and weight were self-reported in eight countries, and measured in person in four countries. Results: Three environmental attributes were associated with BMI or weight status in pooled data from 12 countries. Safety from traffic was the most robust correlate, suggesting that creating safe routes for walking/cycling by reducing the speed and volume of traffic might have a positive impact upon weight status/BMI across various geographical locations. Close proximity to several local destinations was associated with BMI across all countries, suggesting compact neighbourhoods with more places to walk related to lower BMI. Safety from crime showed a curvilinear relationship with BMI, with especially poor crime safety being related to higher BMI. Conclusions: Environmental interventions involving these three attributes appear to have international relevance and focusing on these might have implications for tackling overweight/obesity.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-10 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity |
| Volume | 12 |
| Issue number | 62 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 16 May 2015 |
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International study of perceived neighbourhood environmental attributes and Body Mass Index: IPEN Adult study in 12 countries. / De Bourdeaudhuij, I; Van Dyck, D; Salvo, D; DAVEY, Rachel; Reiss, RS; Schofield, Grant; Reis, Rodrigo; Mitáš, Josef; Christiansen, Breum; Macfarlane, Duncan; Sugiyama, Takemi; Ontoso, Inés; Owen, Neville; Conway, Terry L.; Sallis, James F.; Cerin, Ester.
In: The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, Vol. 12, No. 62, 16.05.2015, p. 1-10.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - International study of perceived neighbourhood environmental attributes and Body Mass Index: IPEN Adult study in 12 countries
AU - De Bourdeaudhuij, I
AU - Van Dyck, D
AU - Salvo, D
AU - DAVEY, Rachel
AU - Reiss, RS
AU - Schofield, Grant
AU - Reis, Rodrigo
AU - Mitáš, Josef
AU - Christiansen, Breum
AU - Macfarlane, Duncan
AU - Sugiyama, Takemi
AU - Ontoso, Inés
AU - Owen, Neville
AU - Conway, Terry L.
AU - Sallis, James F.
AU - Cerin, Ester
PY - 2015/5/16
Y1 - 2015/5/16
N2 - Background: Ecological models of health behaviour are an important conceptual framework to address the multiple correlates of obesity. Several single-country studies previously examined the relationship between the built environment and obesity in adults, but results are very diverse. An important reason for these mixed results is the limited variability in built environments in these single-country studies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine associations between perceived neighbourhood built environmental attributes and BMI/weight status in a multi-country study including 12 environmentally and culturally diverse countries. Methods: A multi-site cross-sectional study was conducted in 17 cities (study sites) across 12 countries (Australia, Belgium, Brazil, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, the UK and USA). Participants (n = 14222, 18-66 years) self-reported perceived neighbourhood environmental attributes. Height and weight were self-reported in eight countries, and measured in person in four countries. Results: Three environmental attributes were associated with BMI or weight status in pooled data from 12 countries. Safety from traffic was the most robust correlate, suggesting that creating safe routes for walking/cycling by reducing the speed and volume of traffic might have a positive impact upon weight status/BMI across various geographical locations. Close proximity to several local destinations was associated with BMI across all countries, suggesting compact neighbourhoods with more places to walk related to lower BMI. Safety from crime showed a curvilinear relationship with BMI, with especially poor crime safety being related to higher BMI. Conclusions: Environmental interventions involving these three attributes appear to have international relevance and focusing on these might have implications for tackling overweight/obesity.
AB - Background: Ecological models of health behaviour are an important conceptual framework to address the multiple correlates of obesity. Several single-country studies previously examined the relationship between the built environment and obesity in adults, but results are very diverse. An important reason for these mixed results is the limited variability in built environments in these single-country studies. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine associations between perceived neighbourhood built environmental attributes and BMI/weight status in a multi-country study including 12 environmentally and culturally diverse countries. Methods: A multi-site cross-sectional study was conducted in 17 cities (study sites) across 12 countries (Australia, Belgium, Brazil, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, the UK and USA). Participants (n = 14222, 18-66 years) self-reported perceived neighbourhood environmental attributes. Height and weight were self-reported in eight countries, and measured in person in four countries. Results: Three environmental attributes were associated with BMI or weight status in pooled data from 12 countries. Safety from traffic was the most robust correlate, suggesting that creating safe routes for walking/cycling by reducing the speed and volume of traffic might have a positive impact upon weight status/BMI across various geographical locations. Close proximity to several local destinations was associated with BMI across all countries, suggesting compact neighbourhoods with more places to walk related to lower BMI. Safety from crime showed a curvilinear relationship with BMI, with especially poor crime safety being related to higher BMI. Conclusions: Environmental interventions involving these three attributes appear to have international relevance and focusing on these might have implications for tackling overweight/obesity.
KW - Built environment
KW - International
KW - Pooled data
KW - Weight status
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84930199119&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1186/s12966-015-0228-y
DO - 10.1186/s12966-015-0228-y
M3 - Article
VL - 12
SP - 1
EP - 10
JO - The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
JF - The International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
SN - 1479-5868
IS - 62
ER -