Effects of proximity to supermarkets on a randomized trial studying interventions for obesity

L. Fiechtner, K. Kleinman, S.J. Melly, M. Sharifi, Robert Marshall, J. Block, E.R. Cheng and E.M. Taveras

American Journal of Public Health, 2016, vol. 106, issue 3, 557-562

Abstract: Objectives. To determine whether proximity to a supermarket modified the effects of an obesity intervention. Methods. We examined 498 children aged 6 to 12 years with a body mass index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile participating in an obesity trial inMassachusetts in 2011 to 2013. The practice-based interventions included computerized clinician decision support plus family self-guided behavior change or health coaching. Outcomeswere 1-year change in BMI z-score, sugar-sweetened beverage intake, and fruit and vegetable intake.We examined distance to the closest supermarket as an effect modifier. Results. Distance to supermarkets was an effect modifier of 1-year change in BMI z-score and fruit and vegetable intake but not sugar-sweetened beverage intake. With each 1-mile shorter distance to a supermarket, intervention participants increased their fruit and vegetable intake by 0.29 servings per day and decreased their BMI z-score by -0.04 units relative to controls. Conclusions. Living closer to a supermarket is associated with greater improvements in fruit and vegetable intake and weight status in an obesity intervention.

Keywords: body mass; catering service; child; decision support system; demography; diet; exercise; family; female; fruit; health behavior; human; male; Massachusetts; obesity; sedentary lifestyle; sleep; socioeconomics; statistics and numerical data; vegetable, Body Mass Index; Child; Decision Support Techniques; Diet; Exercise; Family; Female; Food Supply; Fruit; Health Behavior; Humans; Male; Massachusetts; Obesity; Residence Characteristics; Sedentary Lifestyle; Sleep; Socioeconomic Factors; Vegetables (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2015.302986_5

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2015.302986

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