The Built Environment and Obesity

Papas, M. A.; Alberg, A. J.; Ewing, R.; Helzlsouer, K. J.; Gary, T. L.; Klassen, A. C.

doi:10.1093/epirev/mxm009

Cited by 1,078Urban Transport and AccessibilityObesity, Physical Activity, DietUrban Green Space and Health

The Built Environment and Obesity

Papas, M. A., Alberg, A. J., Ewing, R., Helzlsouer, K. J., Gary, T. L., Klassen, A. C.·2007·Epidemiologic Reviews

DOI 10.1093/epirev/mxm009

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Abstract

Obesity results from a complex interaction between diet, physical activity, and the environment. The built environment encompasses a range of physical and social elements that make up the structure of a community and may influence obesity. This review summarizes existing empirical research relating the built environment to obesity. The Medline, PsychInfo, and Web of Science databases were searched using the keywords "obesity" or "overweight" and "neighborhood" or "built environment" or "environment." The search was restricted to English-language articles conducted in human populations between 1966 and 2007. To meet inclusion criteria, articles had to 1) have a direct measure of body weight and 2) have an objective measure of the built environment. A total of 1,506 abstracts were obtained, and 20 articles met the inclusion criteria. Most articles (84%) reported a statistically significant positive association between some aspect of the built environment and obesity. Several methodological issues were of concern, including the inconsistency of measurements of the built environment across studies, the cross-sectional design of most investigations, and the focus on aspects of either diet or physical activity but not both. Given the importance of the physical and social contexts of individual behavior and the limited success of individual-based interventions in long-term obesity prevention, more research on the impact of the built environment on obesity is needed.

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Neighborhood qualities impact health behaviors, such as constraining access to nutritious food, which in turn increases the likelihood of overconsumption of unhealthy food.
“These neighborhood qualities impact health behaviors, such as constraining access to nutritious food, which in turn increases the likelihood of overconsumption of unhealthy food [23].”
From Intersections of Structural State-Level Racism and Neighborhood Deprivation on Nutrition and Obesity for Black Adolescents (2025) · cites this paper as [23]
Neither of the 2 cross-sectional studies of street connectivity and childhood obesity found a significant association.
“Two recent systematic reviews349,356 identified only 2 cross-sectional studies of street connectivity and childhood obesity; neither found a significant association.”
From Population Approaches to Improve Diet, Physical Activity, and Smoking Habits: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (2012) · cites this paper as [349]
Findings on sidewalk availability and adiposity in adults were mixed, with no significant associations among adults in the rural southern United States or Hispanic adults in Texas, and inverse associations among urban US adults and Australian adults.
“Findings were mixed, with no significant associations among adults in the rural southern United States or Hispanic adults in Texas, and inverse associations among urban US adults and Australian adults.”
From Population Approaches to Improve Diet, Physical Activity, and Smoking Habits: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (2012) · cites this paper as [349]
Few studies evaluated walkability and adiposity in either children or adults, with a minority of these observing positive findings.
“Few studies evaluated walkability and adiposity in either children or adults, with a minority of these observing positive findings.”
From Population Approaches to Improve Diet, Physical Activity, and Smoking Habits: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association (2012) · cites this paper as [349]

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Authors: Papas, M. A., Alberg, A. J., Ewing, R., Helzlsouer, K. J., Gary, T. L., & Klassen, A. C.
Affiliations: University of Maryland, Baltimore (US)
Johns Hopkins University (US)
University of Maryland, College Park (US)
Mercy Medical Center (US)
ORCID: Papas, M. A.
Alberg, A. J.
Ewing, R.
Helzlsouer, K. J.
Klassen, A. C.
Venue: Epidemiologic Reviews
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published: 2007-05-02
Volume: 29
Issue: 1
Pages: 129-143
ISSN: 0193-936X (ISSN-L)
1478-6729
DOI: 10.1093/epirev/mxm009
OpenAlex: W2144759387
Cited by: 1,078
References: 121
Citations by year: 2026: 10 · 2025: 36 · 2024: 30 · 2023: 34 · 2022: 36 · 2021: 43 · 2020: 47 · 2019: 59 · 2018: 54 · 2017: 70 · 2016: 76 · 2015: 75 · 2014: 76 · 2013: 77 · 2012: 99
FWCI: 161.97
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Epidemiologic Reviews (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
HighWire Press Open Archive (submittedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Transportation › Urban Transport and Accessibility
Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Urban Green Space and Health
Keywords: obesity, built environment, neighborhood environment, physical activity, diet, overweight, obesity prevention, social context of behavior
MeSH terms: Environment Design, Humans, Motor Activity, Obesity, Residence Characteristics, Social Environment, Body Mass Index

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The Built Environment and Obesity

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