Examining the effects of neighborhood walking environments and green spaces on the likelihood of residents being obese: A residential self-selection perspective

Abstract

Green and walkable neighborhoods have been highlighted as critical factors that promote daily physical activity and reduce sedentary behavior, particularly in the context of the increasing prevalence of noncommunicable diseases such as obesity. Numerous studies have revealed a potential association between neighborhood walking environments and green spaces and the likelihood of residents being overweight or obese, yet they seldom consider the confounding effect of residential self-selection. The complex interactions and influence paths remain unclear and need further examination. Based on 2021 survey data in Guangzhou, this study employs a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach to examine the associations between neighborhood walkability, green space accessibility, and residents' body mass index (BMI), considering the influencing mechanism of residential self-selection. The results show that residents' preference for walking and green space affects their housing choices in terms of neighborhood walking environments and nearby green spaces, thereby influencing their walking and green space use behaviors, as well as the incidence of obesity. This verifies the existence of residential self-selection and its non-negligible effect. Both neighborhood walkability and green space accessibility promote residents' walking and green space use behavior, but they do not have a direct effect on residents' BMI. Furthermore, perceived and objective walkability and green space accessibility play distinct roles. Sedentary behavior emerges as a key mediating factor in the impact of neighborhood walkability on residents' BMI. High perceived walkability significantly reduces the daily sedentary time of residents, thereby indirectly inhibiting the risk of being overweight or obese. This conclusion provides a scientific basis for building a green, low-carbon, healthy, and sustainable neighborhood life circle, guiding and promoting residents to form healthier daily activities and habits.