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Ethnic density and obesity: evidence from fixed-effects models
Katherine L Moloney1, Scott J South1
1Department of Sociology, Center for Social and Demographic Analysis, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, United States.
Health & Place
|January 11, 2015
Summary
Ethnic density in metropolitan areas has varying associations with obesity risk for U.S. blacks and Latinos. Fixed-effects models reveal inverse links for Black males, while marriage and children increase obesity risk for most groups.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Obesity is a significant public health issue, particularly among minority populations in the U.S.
- Previous research suggests a link between ethnic density and health outcomes, but findings are inconsistent.
- Understanding the role of neighborhood context is crucial for targeted health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between metropolitan ethnic density and obesity risk among U.S. blacks and Latinos.
- To examine how controlling for confounding factors, including unobserved time-constant characteristics, influences this association.
- To explore the impact of life events like marriage and parenthood on obesity risk within these demographic groups.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1979 Cohort (1980-2004 waves).
- Employed fixed-effects models to control for unobserved time-constant confounders and areal characteristics.
- Analyzed obesity risk in relation to co-ethnic density for Black and Latino men and women.
Main Results:
- Initial analyses showed higher obesity rates in areas with greater co-ethnic density.
- Fixed-effects models revealed an inverse association between co-ethnic density and obesity risk for Black males.
- No significant association was found between co-ethnic density and obesity risk for Black females, Latinas, or Latino males.
- Marriage and having children were associated with increased obesity risk across most groups.
Conclusions:
- The relationship between ethnic density and obesity is complex and depends on demographic factors and analytical methods.
- Fixed-effects models suggest that neighborhood co-ethnic density may have a protective effect on obesity risk for Black males.
- Life course events, such as family formation, are significant predictors of obesity risk in these populations.
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