Influence of neighborhood food stores on girls’ BMI

Leung, CH, BA Laraia, M Kelly, D Nickleach, NE Adler, LH Kushi, and IH Yen. 2011. Effects of Neighborhood Food Store Availability on Young Girls' Body Mass Index. American Journal of Preventative Medicine 41(1): 43–51

This exploratory study examined the relationship between the presence of neighborhood food stores within a girl’s neighborhood and 3-year risk of overweight/obesity and change in BMI, in girls aged 6 or 7 years at baseline. Generalized linear and logistic models were used to examine how availability of food stores within 0.25-mile and 1.0-mile network buffers of a girl’s residence were associated with BMI z-score change
and risk of overweight or obesity, adjusting for baseline BMI/weight and family sociodemographic characteristics. Data were analyzed in 2010.  Availability of convenience stores within a 0.25-mile network  buffer of a girl’s residence was associated with greater risk of overweight/obesity and an increase in BMI z-score. Availability of produce vendors/farmer’s markets within a 1.0-mile network buffer of a girl’s residence was inversely associated with overweight/obesity. A signifıcant trend was observed between availability of produce vendors/farmer’s markets and lower risk of overweight/obesity after 3 years.