The role of neighborhood characteristics and the built environment in understanding racial/ethnic disparities in childhood obesity

摘要

Background. Childhood obesity prevalence remains high and racial/ ethnic disparities may bewidening. Studies have examined the role of health behavioral differences. Less is known regarding neighborhood and built environment mediators of disparities. The objective of this study was to examine the extent to which racial/ ethnic disparities in elevated child body mass index (BMI) are explained by neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES) and built environment.