Using Electronic Medical Record Data to Better Understand Obesity in Hispanic Neighborhoods in El Paso, Texas

Jennifer J. Salinas, Jon Sheen, Malcolm Carlyle, Navkiran K. Shokar, Gerardo Vazquez, Daniel Murphy and Ogechika Alozie
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Jennifer J. Salinas: Department of Molecular and Translational, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX 79905, USA
Jon Sheen: Department of Molecular and Translational, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX 79905, USA
Malcolm Carlyle: Department of Molecular and Translational, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, El Paso, TX 79905, USA
Navkiran K. Shokar: Department of Family and Community Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, TX 79905, USA
Gerardo Vazquez: Department of Family and Community Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, TX 79905, USA
Daniel Murphy: Department of Family and Community Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso, TX 79905, USA
Ogechika Alozie: Sunset ID Care, El Paso, TX 79902, USA

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 12, 1-12

Abstract: The prevalence of obesity has been persistent amongst Hispanics over the last 20 years. Socioeconomic inequities have led to delayed diagnosis and treatment of chronic medical conditions related to obesity. Factors contributing include lack of insurance and insufficient health education. It is well-documented that obesity amongst Hispanics is higher in comparison to non-Hispanics, but it is not well-understood how the socioeconomic context along with Hispanic ethnic concentration impact the prevalence of obesity within a community. Specifically studying obesity within Hispanic dominant regions of the United States, along the Texas–Mexico border will aid in understanding this relationship. El Paso, Texas is predominantly Mexican-origin Hispanic, making up 83% of the county’s total population. Through the use of electronic medical records, BMI averages along with obesity prevalence were analyzed for 161 census tracts in the El Paso County. Geographic weighted regression and Hot Spot technology were used to analyze the data. This study did identify a positive association between Hispanic ethnic concentration and obesity prevalence within the El Paso County. Median income did have a direct effect on obesity prevalence while evidence demonstrates that higher education is protective for health.

Keywords: obesity; Hispanics; socioeconomic inequities; El Paso; Texas; Texas–Mexico border; geographic weighted regression; ArcGIS; hot spot analysis; body mass index; U.S. census bureau (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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