Analysis of the Association between Excess Weight in Schoolchildren in Costa Rica and the Food Environment using Collaborative Mapping

This study explored the relationship between excess weight in schoolchildren and the local food environment in Costa Rica through the lens of Health Geography and collaborative mapping. Using data from the 2016 School Weight/Height Census, OpenStreetMap, Google Maps, and official demographic records, this study examined 62 statistically representative districts classified by degree of urbanization. Spearman correlation analyses revealed a moderately positive association between the density of food establishments and the prevalence of excess weight, particularly in rural and predominantly rural districts. No significant correlations were found in the urban areas. Spatial analyses also highlighted significant geographic disparities, with the highest obesity rates being concentrated in urban and transitional rural districts. Collaborative mapping has proven to be an effective, low-cost method for analyzing food environments, demonstrating its potential as a tool for public health planning and policy-making. These findings underscore the complex interplay between urbanization, food access, and childhood obesity, suggesting the need for integrated geographic and social approaches to address nutritional challenges in school populations.