Abstract
Objectives
Neighbourhood characteristics can impact the health of residents. This study investigated associations between objectively derived neighbourhood characteristics, including novel space syntax metrics, and self-reported body mass index (BMI) among Canadian men and women.
Methods
Our study included survey data collected from a random cross-section of adults residing in Calgary, Alberta (n = 1718). The survey, conducted in 2007/2008, captured participants’ socio-demographic characteristics, health, and weight status (BMI). Participants’ household postal codes were geocoded and 1600-m line-based network buffers estimated. Using a geographical information system, we estimated neighbourhood characteristics within each buffer including business destination density, street intersection density, sidewalk length, and population density. Using space syntax, we estimated street integration and walkability (street integration plus population density) within each buffer. Using adjusted regression models, we estimated associations between neighbourhood characteristics and BMI (continuous) and BMI categories (healthy weight vs. overweight including obese). Gender-stratified analysis was also performed.
Results
Business destination density was negatively associated with BMI and the odds of being overweight. Among men, street intersection density and sidewalk length were negatively associated with BMI and street intersection density, business destination density, street integration, and space syntax walkability were negatively associated with odds of being overweight. Among women, business destination density was negatively associated with BMI.
Conclusion
Urban planning policies that impact neighbourhood design have the potential to influence weight among adults living in urban Canadian settings. Some characteristics may have a differential association with weight among men and women and should be considered in urban planning and in neighbourhood-focussed public health interventions.
Résumé
Objectifs
Les caractéristiques du quartier peuvent avoir des incidences sur la santé des personnes qui y habitent. Notre étude porte sur les associations entre les caractéristiques du quartier objectivement dérivées, dont les nouvelles mesures de syntaxe spatiale, et l’indice de masse corporelle (IMC) autodéclaré chez les femmes et les hommes au Canada.
Méthode
L’étude inclut des données d’enquête provenant d’un échantillon aléatoire d’adultes vivant à Calgary, en Alberta (n = 1 718). L’enquête, menée en 2007-2008, a saisi les caractéristiques sociodémographiques, l’état de santé et le statut pondéral (IMC) des participants. Nous avons géocodé le code postal du ménage de chaque participant et estimé les zones tampons d’un réseau de corridors linéaires de 1 600 mètres. À l’aide d’un système d’information géographique, nous avons estimé les caractéristiques du quartier dans chaque zone tampon, dont la densité de destinations d’affaires, la densité d’intersections de rues, la longueur des trottoirs et la densité de population. En faisant appel à la syntaxe spatiale, nous avons estimé l’intégration des rues et la marchabilité (intégration des rues plus densité de population) dans chaque zone tampon. À l’aide de modèles de régression ajustés, nous avons estimé les associations entre les caractéristiques du quartier et l’IMC (en continu) et les catégories d’IMC (poids-santé vs. surpoids, y compris l’obésité). Une analyse stratifiée selon le sexe a également été effectuée.
Résultats
La densité de destinations d’affaires était négativement associée à l’IMC et à la probabilité de surpoids. Chez les hommes, la densité d’intersections de rues et la longueur des trottoirs étaient négativement associées à l’IMC, et la densité d’intersections de rues, la densité de destinations d’affaires, l’intégration des rues et la syntaxe spatiale de marchabilité étaient négativement associées à la probabilité de surpoids. Chez les femmes, la densité de destinations d’affaires était négativement associée à l’IMC.
Conclusion
Les politiques de planification urbaine qui touchent la conception des quartiers ont le potentiel d’influencer le poids des adultes en milieu urbain au Canada. Pour certaines caractéristiques, l’association avec le poids peut être différente entre les hommes et les femmes; il faudrait en tenir compte dans la planification urbaine et les interventions de santé publique au niveau des quartiers.
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Funding
The original data collection for this study was part of the EcoEUFORIA project funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR; PI Dr. Alan Shiell). An O’Brien Institute of Public Health Postdoctoral Scholarship and a Cumming School of Medicine Postdoctoral Scholarship (University of Calgary) supported VN. GRM is supported by a CIHR Foundations Scheme Grant (MSH-130162).
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GRM and MJK conceived the study. VN undertook the analysis, interpreted the results, and drafted the initial manuscript. MJK and LT were involved in estimation of the built environment variables. MJK, KO, TN, AS, KI, AY, LT, and GRM interpreted the results and contributed to manuscript draft. All authors approved the final manuscript.
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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
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The University of Calgary Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board approved this study (REB #20798).
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Nichani, V., Koohsari, M.J., Oka, K. et al. Associations between the traditional and novel neighbourhood built environment metrics and weight status among Canadian men and women. Can J Public Health 112, 166–174 (2021). https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-020-00365-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-020-00365-8