Actual neighborhood-level crime predicts body mass index z-score changes in a multi-racial/ethnic sample of children
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Date
2018-09-24
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Authors
Suminsk, Richard R.
Robson, Shannon M.
May, Linda L.
Blair, Rachel I.
Orsega-Smith, Elizabeth M.
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Abstract
Longitudinal studies are warranted to clarify the influence crime has on health outcomes in children especially
children representing multiple racial/ethnic backgrounds. To address this need, the current study examined
whether neighborhood-level crime predicted changes in body mass index z (BMIz) scores in 373 White (W), 627
African American (AA), 1020 Hispanic (H), and 88 Asian (A), five to ten year-old boys and girls living in urban
neighborhoods. Heights and weights were assessed at baseline (2012) and three-years later and used to calculate
BMIz scores. Characteristics of zip codes where students lived during the three-year period were obtained at
baseline from various sources. The Crime Risk Index (CRI) for each zip code was calculated using actual crime
statistics. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between baseline CRI and
follow-up BMIz scores while controlling for other variables including BMIz at baseline. The CRI and BMIz scores
differed significantly by race/ethnicity with the highest values for both noted in H. Regression analyses indicated
that the CRI accounted for a significant percentage of the variance in follow-up BMIz scores in the overall
sample. When race/ethnicity was considered, the CRI predicted follow-up BMIz scores only in W children. The
CRI was not significantly associated with BMIz scores in the other races/ethnicities. The impact actual, neighborhood-level crime has on BMI in children is complex. Based on the existing evidence, considering actual crime
as a primary target in obesity prevention would be premature especially in racial/ethnicity minority children
living in urban areas.
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DOI
10.1016/j.pmedr.2018.09.012