| Obesity in childhood is associated with a number of adverse health effects such as high cholesterol, hypertension, infertility, depression, low-self esteem, decreased quality of life, type 2 diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease later in life. The rapid rise in prevalence of childhood obesity over the past several decades is particularly alarming. Previous research indicates that dietary intake and obesity are associated with food availability across multiple settings, including the home, school, workplace, and community. Unfortunately, nutritious foods are not universally available or affordable in the U.S. and have become less so over the past few decades. By contrast, unhealthy foods (e.g., typically food or beverages of minimally nutritional value but high caloric density), such as fast food, have become increasingly pervasive and cheap. Fast food in particular has been associated with inadequate overall dietary intake and risk of overweight and obesity.;This study seeks to evaluate the local food environment along paths to school for children in six public elementary schools in Baltimore City. There are two research aims: (1) to characterize the local food environment surrounding elementary schools in Baltimore City; and (2) to examine whether the local food environment surrounding schools and along routes to and from school is associated with risk of obesity, body mass index (BMI) change over two years, and waist circumference among a sample of elementary school children in Baltimore City. Study results will inform future research on the local food environment as well as influence policy formulation related to dietary intake and obesity in urban settings. |
