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Associations between urban landscape characteristics and Body Mass Index
Citation:
Tsai, W. AND L. Jackson. Associations between urban landscape characteristics and Body Mass Index. International Association for Landscape Ecology, Chicago, IL, April 08 - 12, 2018.
Impact/Purpose:
To present preliminary findings in urban landscape ecology & human health to peer scientists, and to exchange ideas in the research field.
Description:
Obesity is one of the major public-health concerns in many countries today. In the United States, more than 70% of the U.S. adults aged 20 and over are overweight or obese. The prevalence of obesity has been grown rapidly during the last three decades. Obesity prevalence is determined by many drivers including societal and environmental factors. Multiple studies have documented how natural and built environments influence weight status. With increasing urbanization, green land cover is particularly identified as an important factor in benefiting human health through a broad range of ecosystem services in urban areas. This study examined the associations between weight status and neighborhood greenery at the individual level for Portland, OR and Phoenix, AZ using geospatial data and indicators developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s EnviroAtlas. The datasets included Meter-Scale Urban Land Cover, Park Proximity, Percent Greenspace Along Walkable Roads, Estimated Intersection Density of Walkable Roads, and Adjusted Quality of Life Threshold Income. The weight status was defined by Body Mass Index (BMI) and derived from weight and height information requested from state DMVs. The preliminary findings included that having access to a park entrance within 2000m and higher percent tree cover along walkable roads were associated with lower risk of being overweight or obese after controlling for potential covariates. The findings will not only aid our understanding of the role of urban green land cover as a potential determinant for obesity prevention but also the influences of the types and allocation of urban green land cover on weight status.