Neighbourhood food and physical activity environments in England, UK: does ethnic density matter?

Molaodi, O.R., Leyland, A.H., Ellaway, A., Kearns, A. and Harding, S. (2012) Neighbourhood food and physical activity environments in England, UK: does ethnic density matter? International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 9(75), (doi: 10.1186/1479-5868-9-75)

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Abstract

<p><b>Background:</b> In England, obesity is more common in some ethnic minority groups than in Whites. This study examines the relationship between ethnic concentration and access to fast food outlets, supermarkets and physical activity facilities.</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> Data on ethnic concentration, fast food outlets, supermarkets and physical activity facilities were obtained at the lower super output area (LSOA) (population average of 1500). Poisson multilevel modelling was used to examine the association between own ethnic concentration and facilities, adjusted for area deprivation, urbanicity, population size and clustering of LSOAs within local authority areas.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> There was a higher proportion of ethnic minorities residing in areas classified as most deprived. Fast food outlets and supermarkets were more common and outdoor physical activity facilities were less common in most than least deprived areas. A gradient was not observed for the relationship between indoor physical activity facilities and area deprivation quintiles. In contrast to White British, increasing ethnic minority concentration was associated with increasing rates of fast food outlets. Rate ratios comparing rates of fast food outlets in high with those in low level of ethnic concentration ranged between 1.28, 95% confidence interval 1.06-1.55 (Bangladeshi) and 2.62, 1.46-4.70 (Chinese). Similar to White British, however, increasing ethnic minority concentration was associated with increasing rate of supermarkets and indoor physical activity facilities. Outdoor physical activity facilities were less likely to be in high than low ethnic concentration areas for some minority groups.</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> Overall, ethnic minority concentration was associated with a mixture of both advantages and disadvantages in the provision of food outlets and physical activity facilities. These issues might contribute to ethnic differences in food choices and engagement in physical activity.</p>

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Ellaway, Dr Anne and Kearns, Professor Ade and Harding, Professor Seeromanie and Molaodi, Dr Oarabile and Leyland, Professor Alastair
Authors: Molaodi, O.R., Leyland, A.H., Ellaway, A., Kearns, A., and Harding, S.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Public Health
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Social Scientists working in Health and Wellbeing
College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies
Journal Name:International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity
Publisher:BioMed Central
ISSN:1479-5868
ISSN (Online):1479-5868
Published Online:18 June 2012
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2012 The Authors
First Published:First published in International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity 9(75)
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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