Racial/ethnic inequalities in the association between active school transport and fast food intake
Abstract
Background: Urban planning is strongly linked with transportation, which in turn may impact population health. Active school transport (e.g., walking, biking on the way to or from school) is increasingly used as a strategy to... [ view full abstract ]
Background: Urban planning is strongly linked with transportation, which in turn may impact population health. Active school transport (e.g., walking, biking on the way to or from school) is increasingly used as a strategy to improve physical activity and prevent childhood obesity. Active school transport is associated with greater children’s physically activity. However, AST may increase exposure to obesogenic environments, and may be associated with other obesity-related behaviors such as fast food intake. AST varies by race/ethnicity, with minority children generally more likely to use AST than their White counterparts, therefore, uptake racial/ethnic minority AST users may be more exposed to fast food outlets and consume more fast food.
Objectives: To investigate the association between active school transport (AST) and fast food consumption, and to examine differences across racial/ethnic groups.
Methods: Adolescent data (n=2,799) from the 2009 California Health Interview Survey, a biennial, population-based telephone survey of civilian households, were used in logistic regression models to examine the association between AST and fast food intake across racial-ethnic groups.
Results: Using AST 1-2 days in the past week was associated with higher likelihood of fast food intake compared with no use of AST, controlling for demographic, socioeconomic and other factors. The association between AST and fast food intake differed by race/ethnicity. Among Latinos, increased use of AST was associated with greater fast food intake. Among White and Asian adolescents, there was a curvilinear pattern: compared with non-AST users, AST of 1-2 days/week was associated with higher odds of fast food intake, but AST of 3-4 days and 5 days/week was associated, respectively, with similar or lower odds of fast food intake.
Conclusions and Implications: AST appears to be a significant risk factor for unhealthy eating and may increase racial or ethnic disparities.
Authors
-
Emma Sanchez-Vaznaugh
(San Francisco State University)
-
Bécares Laia
(The University of Manchester)
-
Brisa Sánchez
(University of Michigan)
Topic Areas
II. Urban Health at the intersection of urban environment, social determinants and places , IV. Urbanism, Health and Wellbeing 4.1 Built environment 4.2 Pollution: air, noise, etc
Session
PS-2 » POSTER SESSION 2 (11:45 - Saturday, 2nd April, TBA)
Paper
AST_and_FF_intake_racial_ethnic_differences.docx
Presentation Files
The presenter has not uploaded any presentation files.