Race Differentials in Obesity: The Impact of Place

摘要: The causes of obesity, including the social relationships that mediate and moderate relationship between various risk factors are complex (Weinsier et al. 1998; Whitaker 2002; Bloomgarden 2002). As research consistently demonstrates behaviors affecting health rooted within individuals’ environments (Berkman Kawachi 2000), it is critical to broaden scope inquiry such understood not only as a function individual traits, but also related in which people live (MacIntyre Ellaway 2003; Robert 1999). These include physical space well community attitudes characterize these places (Frolich, Corin, Potvin 2001). Although literature linking residential context has increased sharply recent years (see Berkman 2003 for an overview), little work examined obesity outcome. This article contributes growing body focusing on ecological correlates makes timely contribution focus both academic popular settings. It important fully understand because prevalence among U.S. adults epidemic levels; contributed disease, disability, death; led escalation care costs (Allison, Zannolli, Narayan 1999; Wang Over last 25 years, adult more than doubled; 1976 15 percent population was obese, by 2000 rates surpassed 30 (NCHS 2003). increase particularly problematic associated with serious problems type-2 diabetes, gallbladder high blood pressure, heart disease (Flegal Calle Kaplan 2000; Must More importantly, increases number death believed contribute approximately 14 all deaths per year United States (Allison Fontaine McGinnis Foege 1993; Rogers, Hummer, Krueger Sturm 2002). Of particular concern epidemiologists consistent evidence demonstrating substantially higher rate non-Hispanic blacks compared whites (Denney 2004; Flegal Durazo-Arvizu Mokdad Schoenborn, Adams, Barnes In large part, studies examining elevated black almost exclusively individual-level resources; however, clear from previous racial differences mass persist despite statistical controls known at level (Lakdawalla Philipson Sundquist Johansson 1998). Accordingly, researchers have begun their attention aspects adult’s neighborhoods (MacIntyre, Ellaway, Cummins 2002), there independently (Robert Yen Syme 1999) health-related (Boardman 2001; Ross Duncan, Jones, Moon 1996) persons residing neighborhood. In this article, we examine several areas potential determinants size. We first describe ecology socioeconomic across areas. then estimate independent association three characteristics (race, class, health) will be obese. pay possibility neighborhood-level composition, poverty rates, positively adults. models used provide empirical examination epidemic, institutional, collective socialization neighborhood-health (Jencks Mayer 1990).