Actual neighborhood-level crime predicts body mass index z-score changes in a multi-racial/ethnic sample of children

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Richard R.,Robson,Shannon M.,May,Linda L.,Blair,Rachel I., Suminsk (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: Longitudinal studies are warranted to clarify the influence crime has on health outcomes in children especiallychildren representing multiple racial/ethnic backgrounds. To address this need, the current study examinedwhether neighborhood-level crime predicted changes in body mass index z (BMIz) scores in 373 White (W), 627African American (AA), 1020 Hispanic (H), and 88 Asian (A), five to ten year-old boys and girls living in urbanneighborhoods. Heights and weights were assessed at baseline (2012) and three-years later and used to calculateBMIz scores. Characteristics of zip codes where students lived during the three-year period were obtained atbaseline from various sources. The Crime Risk Index (CRI) for each zip code was calculated using actual crimestatistics. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between baseline CRI andfollow-up BMIz scores while controlling for other variables including BMIz at baseline. The CRI and BMIz scoresdiffered significantly by race/ethnicity with the highest values for both noted in H. Regression analyses indicatedthat the CRI accounted for a significant percentage of the variance in follow-up BMIz scores in the overallsample. When race/ethnicity was considered, the CRI predicted follow-up BMIz scores only in W children. TheCRI was not significantly associated with BMIz scores in the other races/ethnicities. The impact actual, neighborhood-level crime has on BMI in children is complex. Based on the existing evidence, considering actual crimeas a primary target in obesity prevention would be premature especially in racial/ethnicity minority childrenliving in urban areas.

Additional Information

Publication

Other

Language: English

Date: 2018

Keywords

Longitudinal study; Public health; Obesity; Safety

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