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Built Environment and Childhood Weight Status: A Multi-Level Study Using Population-Based Data in the City of Hannover, Germany

Author

Listed:
  • Yusheng Zhou

    (Institute of Epidemiology, Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany)

  • Christoph Buck

    (Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS, 28359 Bremen, Germany)

  • Werner Maier

    (Institute of Health Economics and Health Care Management, Helmholtz Zentrum München—German Research Center for Environmental Health (GmbH), D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany)

  • Thomas von Lengerke

    (Department of Medical Psychology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany)

  • Ulla Walter

    (Institute of Epidemiology, Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany)

  • Maren Dreier

    (Institute of Epidemiology, Social Medicine and Health Systems Research, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany)

Abstract

In recent years, built environmental characteristics have been linked to childhood overweight, but the results remain inconsistent across studies. The present study examines associations between several built environmental features and body weight status (BMI) z-score among a large sample of preschool children in the city of Hannover, Germany. Walkability (Index), green space availability, and playground availability related to preschool children’s home environments were measured using data from OpenStreetMap (OSM). These built environment characteristics were linked to the data from the 2010–2014 school entry examinations in the Hannover city ( n = 22,678), and analysed using multilevel linear regression models to examine associations between the built environment features and the BMI z-score of these children (4–8 years old). No significant associations of built environmental factors on children’s BMI were detected, but the effect between green space availability and BMI was modified by the parental educational level. In children with lower compared to higher educated parents, a higher spatial availability of greenspace was significantly associated with reduced body weight. Future research should continue to monitor the disparities in diverse built environment features and how these are related to children’s health.

Suggested Citation

  • Yusheng Zhou & Christoph Buck & Werner Maier & Thomas von Lengerke & Ulla Walter & Maren Dreier, 2020. "Built Environment and Childhood Weight Status: A Multi-Level Study Using Population-Based Data in the City of Hannover, Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:8:p:2694-:d:345349
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Scott Leatherdale & Theodora Pouliou & Dana Church & Erin Hobin, 2011. "The association between overweight and opportunity structures in the built environment: a multi-level analysis among elementary school youth in the PLAY-ON study," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 56(3), pages 237-246, June.
    2. Suzanne J. Carroll & Theo Niyonsenga & Neil T. Coffee & Anne W. Taylor & Mark Daniel, 2017. "Does Physical Activity Mediate the Associations Between Local-Area Descriptive Norms, Built Environment Walkability, and Glycosylated Hemoglobin?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-17, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Mildred E. Warner & Xue Zhang, 2020. "Healthy Places for Children: The Critical Role of Engagement, Common Vision, and Collaboration," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-14, December.

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