Effects of Walkability and Food Environment on Obesity in Chicago

Keywords: Walkability, Food Environment, Obesity, African American, Population Density, Restaurants, Chicago
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Friday
Session Start / End Time: 2/25/2022 05:20 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/25/2022 06:40 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 43

Abstract

This research advances the discussion of relative importance of built environment and food environment in obesity rate in Chicago. We also examine the racial context of obesity with respect to built environment and food environment, which has not been explored in existing literature. This study aims to expand the investigation of conventional built environment and food environment correlates of obesity using variables of density, diversity, and design as walkability measurements. Our results show that population density played an important role in the African American community. Population density has a positive association with the obesity rate when the African American population percentage increases. Urban design measured by intersection density has a negative association with the obesity rate. Race also shows its significance in obesity rate since Hispanic percentage has the highest coefficient among all factors. Besides, food environments are shown more important than built environments in reducing obesity rate. Fastfood establishments are found to have largest negative effects on obesity while restaurant establishments are found to have largest positive effects on obesity.