Family income and childhood obesity in eight European cities: The mediating roles of Neighborhood characteristics and physical activity

Utilizing data from the Large Analysis and Review of European Housing and Health Status (LARES) research program conducted by the WHO in eight European cities (Forli, Vilnius, Ferreira do Alentejo, Bonn, Geneva, Angers, Bratislava, Budapest), we examined whether the well-documented inverse correlati...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Social science & medicine (1982) 2012-08, Vol.75 (3), p.477-481
Main Authors: Evans, Gary W., Jones-Rounds, McKenzie L., Belojevic, Goran, Vermeylen, Francoise
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Biological and medical sciences
Body Mass Index
Body Weight
Child
Child health
Children
Cities
Correlation analysis
Environment
Environmental Factors
Europe
Europe - epidemiology
Exercise
Family income
Female
General aspects
Health inequalities
Health inequality
Health Status Disparities
Humans
Income
Income - statistics & numerical data
Male
Medical sciences
Metabolic diseases
Miscellaneous
Natural Environment
Neighborhoods
Obesity
Obesity - epidemiology
Open green space
Outdoor activities
Physical activity
Physical Fitness
Public health. Hygiene
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Residence Characteristics - statistics & numerical data
Urban Population - statistics & numerical data
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Summary:Utilizing data from the Large Analysis and Review of European Housing and Health Status (LARES) research program conducted by the WHO in eight European cities (Forli, Vilnius, Ferreira do Alentejo, Bonn, Geneva, Angers, Bratislava, Budapest), we examined whether the well-documented inverse correlation between family income and children's BMI might be explained, in part, by access to open green space and ensuing physical activity. We found that household income was inversely related to BMI among 1184 children, ages 6–18 years of age. Utilizing structural equation modeling with statistical controls for age and gender, we found evidence for two indirect paths between household income and BMI. One indirect relationship operates successively through open green space and physical activity. The second path operates through physical activity alone. The child's height and weight as well as level of physical activity were reported by their mother. Open green space was assessed by trained observers' ratings of the area surrounding the child's home. Limitations of the study and implications for better understanding of the ecological context of obesity are discussed. ► Family income is inversely related to BMI among European, urban children. ► Lower income children reside near fewer open green spaces and engage in less physical activity. ► Childhood BMI inequalities are partially explained by access to green space and physical activity.
ISSN:0277-9536
1873-5347
DOI:10.1016/j.socscimed.2012.03.037