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Convenience Stores are Associated with Early Childhood Obesity in Low‐Income Households
Author(s) -
Koleilat Maria,
Harrison Gail,
Whaley Shan,
Gomez Judy,
Jenks Eloise
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.936.14
Subject(s) - overweight , obesity , environmental health , poverty , childhood obesity , body mass index , spatial analysis , demography , geography , gestational diabetes , medicine , birth weight , pregnancy , gerontology , gestation , economics , economic growth , sociology , remote sensing , biology , genetics , pathology
We investigated the association between the local food environment and obesity/overweight risk among 3‐ to 4‐year‐old children who were participants in the WIC program in Los Angeles County. We used geographical information system software to compute the retail food environment index (RFEI) per ZIP code. We conducted exploratory analysis to check for spatial autocorrelation. We then used multivariate spatial statistical techniques to control for spatial autocorrelation. Fast‐food restaurants represent 30% and convenience stores total 40% of the sum of food outlets in areas where WIC participants reside. We found a statistically significant positive association between RFEI and obesity/overweight despite controlling for spatial autocorrelation, birth weight, poverty level, race/ethnicity, formula feeding, maternal education and variables relating to the pregnancy resulting in the child's birth including maternal diabetes, gestational diabetes, closely spaced pregnancies, and mutlifetal pregnancies. This study provides evidence for the existence of an obesogenic environment for children in low‐income households and a significant role for convenience stores in the neighborhood environment. Supported by USDA/CSREES#2005‐35215‐16075 and First 5 LA. Grant Funding Source : USDA and First 5 LA