ZIP code a factor in prevalence of obesity

ZIP codes may be related to the prevalence of obesity, according to new  research from the University of Arkansas, published April 4 in Obesity Research & Clinical Practice.

“Our results indicate a clear connection between obesity prevalence, income inequality, and the racial and ethnic population composition across census tracts in the 500 largest U.S. cities,” said lead researcher Kevin Fitzpatrick, PhD, with the University of Arkansas, and colleagues.

The researchers utilized data from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 500 cities project and the Census’ American Community Survey.

The analyses assessed relationships between sociodemographic, socioeconomic and housing characteristics of crude prevalence obesity rates in more than 27,000 census tracts (small geographic areas that have a population between 2,500 and 8,000 people) in the 500 largest cities in the U.S.

“What this data provided was the ability to map chronic disease as it relates to where people live,” the authors said. “These two big data groups—chronic health disease data and structural place data—have not been combined in this way at this level until now.”

The researchers assessment showed a significant link between obesity levels and sociodemographic factors—such as race, income, education, age and value of home. They noted places with higher concentrations of low-income and minority populations had increased rates of obesity.

The highest levels of obesity were found in coastal areas of Texas, Alabama, Louisiana, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New York and the Great Lakes region.

Cities in southern California had the highest number of people with normal weight.

“As the gap between rich and poor increases, so does this growing disadvantage of health and well-being for low-income, predominately minority populations,” the authors said.