Mapping Obesity Coverage in Florida Counties Using Interactive Web-Based Mapping Tools to Support Targeted Policy and...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Geospatial Analysis

Background:

• Obesity is a major 21st-century public health challenge, significantly contributing to cardiovascular disease and mortality.
• Understanding geographical variations in obesity is crucial for effective policy and intervention strategies.
• Florida faces a substantial burden of adult obesity, necessitating localized approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify county-level geographical differences in obesity prevalence across Florida.
• To identify predictors associated with obesity at the county level.
• To inform targeted public health policies and interventions for obesity control.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 2019 Florida Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from 54,260 adults across 67 counties.
• Applied Bayesian geospatial models and interactive web-based mapping for analysis.
• Presented estimated coefficients as log means with 95% credible intervals.

Main Results:

• Identified sedentary lifestyle as the sole independent risk factor for increased obesity burden (log mean=0.023).
• Revealed significant geographical disparities in obesity prevalence, ranging from 59.0% to 75.7% (overall 68.6%).
• Holmes County showed the highest obesity burden, with high prevalence also noted in Levy, Columbia, and other specified counties.

Conclusions:

• Substantial county-level geographical differences in obesity underscore the importance of local public health strategies.
• Geospatial modeling and mapping tools can guide the geographical prioritization of interventions.
• Targeted public health policies are essential to combat adult obesity and associated mortality.