Small-area estimation and prioritizing communities for obesity control in Massachusetts

W. Li, J.L. Kelsey, Z. Zhang, S.C. Lemon, S. Mezgebu, C. Boddie-Willis and G.W. Reed

American Journal of Public Health, 2009, vol. 99, issue 3, 511-519

Abstract: Objectives. We developed a method to evaluate geographic and temporal variations in community-level obesity prevalence and used that method to identify communities in Massachusetts that should be considered high priority communities for obesity control. Methods. We developed small-area estimation models to estimate community-level obesity prevalence among community-living adults 18 years or older. Individual-level data from the Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System from 1999 to 2005 were integrated with community-level data fromthe 2000 USCensus. Small-area estimation models assessed the associations of obesity (body mass index≥30 kg/m2) with individual- and community-level characteristics. A classi-fication system based on level and precision of obesity prevalence estimates was then used to identify high-priority communities. Results. Estimates of the prevalence of community-level obesity ranged from 9% to 38% in 2005 and increased in all communities from 1999 to 2005. Fewer than 7% of communities met the Healthy People 2010 objective of prevalence rates below 15%. The highest prevalence rates occurred in communities characterized by lower income, less education, and more blue-collar workers. Conclusions. Similar to the rest of the nation, Massachusetts faces a great challenge in reaching the national obesity control objective. Targeting highpriority communities identified by small-area estimation may maximize use of limited resources.

Date: 2009
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2008.137364_1

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2008.137364

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