Evaluating the Link Between Neighborhood Environments and Obesity Among African American Women

Boston University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Obesity

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT00356707

HL081399-01A1

R01HL081399-01A1 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

1343

Details and patient eligibility

About

African American women have higher rates of obesity than women of any other racial or ethnic group in the United States. Obesity can have many causes, including genetic and environmental factors. This study will examine how neighborhood environments influence the occurrence of obesity among African American women.

Full description

Obesity, which leads to higher rates of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, is an increasingly important public health problem. In 2000, over 78% of African American women were overweight, and over 50% were obese. Several factors can contribute to obesity, including genetics, diet, and environmental factors. Individuals who live in an environment in which it is difficult to maintain an active lifestyle are more prone to obesity. The Black Women's Health Study (BWHS) is an extensive long-term study that is gathering data from women across the country to examine the occurrence of various diseases among African American women. Using BWHS study data and specific information on participants' neighborhoods, including street layout and the presence of sidewalks, this study will determine if neighborhood environments influence the prevalence of obesity among African American women.

This study will use already-collected data on physical activity and body mass index of BWHS study participants who live in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago; there are no additional study visits specifically for this study. A transportation and urban planning expert will compile data regarding the pedestrian environment of neighborhoods in all three cities, including the nature and density of land use, proximity to parks, presence of sidewalks, speed and volume of traffic, and street structure. Census data regarding participants' socioeconomic status will also be collected.

Enrollment: 23,000 patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 21 to 69 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participating in the BWHS study
• Residing in New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago

Trial design

23,000 participants in 1 patient group

1

Description:

This cohort comprises women from the Black Women's Health Study, a prospective study of African American women, who lived in the Los Angeles, New York, or Chicago metropolitan areas at the time of completion of the 1995, 1997, or 1999 questionnaires.