Neighborhood-Level Predictors of Obesity Among African American Children in California

The increased prevalence of childhood obesity is a major public health concern nationally and globally. Childhood obesity is primarily caused by the imbalance between caloric intake and caloric expenditure; however, its increase over the past decades may be due to environmental and behavioral factors. The purpose of the current study was to examine if any relationships existed between childhood obesity, level of physical activity, and neighborhood-level risk factors. This study used the California Health Interview Survey 2009–2014 data sets for African American children aged 5–11 years (n = 1,049). The dependent variable was body mass index (BMI) while the predictors included physical activity, neighborhood, walkability, support, safety, and the presence of parks. Potential confounds were gender and parental education level. Chi-square tests were used to evaluate the associations between BMI and age, educational attainment, neighborhood walkability, physical activity, built environment, neighborhood support, and neighborhood safety. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between BMI and physical activity; parental educational level; presence of parks, playground, or open spaces; neighborhood walkability; neighborhood safety; neighborhood support; and gender while adjusting for other known risk factors. Low physical activity levels were a significant risk factor for increased obesity. No associations were discovered between childhood obesity and neighborhood safety; parental educational level; presence of parks, playgrounds, or open spaces; neighborhood walkability; neighborhood safety; neighborhood support; and gender. This study reinforces the relationship between environmental policy and physical activity.