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Changes in BMI over 6 years: the role of demographic and neighborhood characteristics

International Journal of Obesity volume 34, pages 1275–1283 (2010)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

To undertake a 6-year longitudinal investigation of the relationship between the built environment (perceived and objectively measured) and change in body mass index (BMI). Specifically, this research examined whether change in BMI was predicted by objectively measured neighborhood walkability and socioeconomic status (SES), and perceived neighborhood characteristics (for example, crime, traffic and interesting things to look at) in addition to other factors such as age, gender, education, physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption and smoking.

Design:

Longitudinal study

Subjects:

500 adults who provided complete data in 2002 and 2008 and who did not move over the course of the study (47.8% female; age in 2002: 18–90 years).

Measurements:

Telephone surveys in 2002 and 2008 measuring perceptions of their neighborhood environment and demographic factors. Objective measures of neighborhood characteristics were calculated using census data and geographical information systems in 2006.

Results:

Age, neighborhood SES and perceived traffic were significantly related to increased BMI over the 6 years. Younger participants and those in lower SES neighborhoods were more likely to have increased BMI. Agreement with the statement that traffic made it difficult to walk also predicted increased BMI.

Conclusion:

This study adds to the literature to show that BMI increased in low SES neighborhoods. Although more research is needed to fully understand how neighborhood SES contributes to obesity, it is without question that individuals in socially disadvantaged neighborhoods face more barriers to health than their wealthier counterparts. This study also calls into question the relationship between walkability and changes in BMI and emphasizes the necessity of longitudinal data rather than relying on cross-sectional research.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by grants from the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. Tanya R Berry is supported by a Population Health Investigator Award from the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research. Chris M Blanchard is supported by the Canada Research Chairs Program. The 2002 Population Health Survey was funded through Population Health and Research in the former Capital Health region of Alberta. We thank Genevieve Selfridge for her help with the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation, University of Alberta, Alberta, Alberta, Canada

    T R Berry, J C Spence & N Cutumisu

  2. Department of Medicine, Centre for Clinical Research Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

    C Blanchard

  3. Population and Public Health Portfolio, Alberta Health Services, Alberta, Alberta, Canada

    J Edwards

  4. Centre for Health Promotion Studies, School of Public Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Alberta, Alberta, Canada

    C Nykiforuk

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Correspondence to T R Berry.

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Berry, T., Spence, J., Blanchard, C. et al. Changes in BMI over 6 years: the role of demographic and neighborhood characteristics. Int J Obes 34, 1275–1283 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2010.36

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