710Do exercise facilities moderate the effect of socioeconomic inequities in Body Mass Index?

Background The influence of area-level socioeconomic status (SES) on Body Mass Index (BMI) and adiposity is well known. There is an unequal distribution of exercise facilities (EF), which is dependent on area-level SES. However, is unclear whether EF intervenes on the relationship between SES and BMI. Methods BMI data were obtained from baseline of the Heart Healthy Hoods Cohort. Overall, 1,258 (40-75 years old) residents of Madrid, Spain were recruited between 2017 and 2019. Area-level SES was calculated for each census section based on 7 indicators in 4 domains: education, welfare, employment and living conditions. Availability of EF was defined as the count of EF in a 1,000m street network buffer around participants’ census sections of residence. A five-step mediation analysis was carried out to quantify the effect of EF availability. Analysis of each specific path was carried out with multilevel regression model, adjusted by sex and population density. Results Increases in SES were associated with decreases in BMI (β=-0.723, IC95% -1.003; -0.444). Alike, increases on availability of EF were associated with decreases on BMI (β=-0.09, IC95% -0.132; -0.048). Multilevel regression confirmed availability of EF was a significant moderator between SES and BMI (β=-0.566, IC95% -0.959; -0.173). Thus, the indirect effect of EF on the association between SES on diabetes was -0.258. Conclusions Availability of exercise facilities moderate socioeconomic inequities in BMI. Key messages Increasing the availability of EF in disadvantaged areas may have the potential to moderate inequities related to body size.

Hilly environment and physical activity among community-dwelling older adults in Japan: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesWe investigated whether a moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) level and walking time were associated with a hilly environment in rural Japanese older adults.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingUnnan city, Ohnan and Okinoshima towns in Shimane, Japan.ParticipantsData were collected from 1115 adults from the Shimane CoHRE study, who were aged 60 years and older and living in rural Japan in 2012.MeasuresWe measured the total time spent on MVPA and walking using a Japanese short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The land slope in 400 or 800 m network buffers was assessed using the geographic information system. A multivariable Poisson regression model examined the prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% CIs of walking time or MVPA levels meeting the WHO guideline (>150 min/week) in the land slope categories (low, middle and high), adjusted for confounders.ResultsEngaging in the recommended level of MVPA was significantly associated with middle land slope (PR=1.07; p=0.03) and high land slope (PR=1.06; p=0.07) compared with low land slope in the 400 m network buffer, as well as with middle land slope (PR=1.02; p=0.48) and high land slope (PR=1.04; p=0.25) compared with the low land slope in the 800 m network buffer. Walking time was significantly associated with middle land slope (PR=1.13; p=0.04) and high land slope (PR=1.17; p=0.01) compared with low land slope in the 400 m network buffer, and with middle land slope (PR=1.09; p=0.16) and high land slope (PR=1.17; p<0.01) compared with low land slope in the 800 m network buffer. The sensitivity analysis found only a positive association between walking time and land slope in the 400 and 800 m network buffers.ConclusionsThis study showed that a hilly environment was positively associated with walking time among older adults living in rural Japan.

Association between convenience stores near schools and obesity among school-aged children in Beijing, China

Background: Food environments have rapidly changed over the past years in China and children have more access to unhealthy food in convenience stores near schools. Since the studies on the association between convenience stores near schools and obesity had inconsistent results and no similar study in China, we conducted a study on the association in Beijing of China, which will provide scientific evidence for the intervention of childhood obesity. Methods: The study included 2201 students at grade 4 of 37 primary schools in Dongcheng or Miyun district of Beijing. The food environment data was acquired from AMAP, the free web-based geospatial service provider. The numbers of convenience stores were captured within the 800-meter network buffer near schools using Geographic Information System. The weight and height of each student were measured by trained health professionals. Students’ dietary and physical behaviors and other information associated with obesity were collected with questionnaires for students and their parents. The generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) was used to analyze the data. Results: The average age of the students was 10.2 years (SD=0.33). The prevalence of obesity in students was 14.9%. The median number of convenience stores within the 800-meter network buffer near schools was 24 in two districts. The number of convenience stores near each school varied from 5 to 67 (median: 25) in Dongcheng district and from 1 to 57 (median: 22) in Miyun district. After adjusting for the confounding factors at the family and individual levels, the association between convenience stores and childhood obesity was statistically significant. Additional ten convenience stores near schools were associated with an increased risk of obesity (Odds Ratio (OR)=1.13, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03,1.24, P=0.011). Compared with less than 24 convenience stores near schools, the students with more than or equal to 24 convenience stores near schools had an increased risk of obesity (OR=1.49, 95%CI: 1.09, 2.03, P=0.013). Conclusion: The students with more convenience stores near their schools had an increased risk of obesity. The findings provided evidence for developing public health policy to restrict the number of convenience stores near schools to prevent and control childhood obesity.

Association between convenience stores near school and obesity among school-aged children in Bejing, China

Background: Food environments have rapidly changed over the past years in China and children have more access to unhealthy food in convenience stores near school. Since the studies on the association between convenience stores near school and obesity had inconsistent results and no similar study in China, we conducted the study on the association in Beijing of China, which will provide scientific evidence for intervention of childhood obesity. Methods: The study included 2201 students at grade 4 of 37 primary schools in Dongcheng or Miyun district of Beijing. The food environment data was acquired from AMAP, the free web-based geospatial service provider. The numbers of convenience stores were captured within the 800 meter network buffer near school using Geographic Information System. The weight and height of each student were measured by trained health professionals. Students’ dietary and physical behaviors and other information associated with obesity were collected with questionnaires for students and their parents. Generalized linear mixed model was used to analyze the data. Results : The average age of the students was 10.2 years (SD=0.33). The prevalence of obesity in students was 14.9%. The median number of convenience stores within the 800 meter network buffer near school was 24 in two districts. The number of convenience stores near each school varied from 5 to 67 (median: 25) in Dongcheng district and from 1 to 57 (median: 22) in Miyun district. After adjusting for the confounding factors at the family and individual levels, the association between convenience stores and childhood obesity was statistically significant. Additional ten convenience stores near school were associated with an increased risk of obesity (OR=1.13, 95%CI : 1.03,1.24, P =0.011). Compared with less than 24 convenience stores near school, the students with more than or equal to 24 convenience stores near school had an increased risk of obesity (OR=1.49, 95% CI : 1.09, 2.03, P =0.013). Conclusion: The students with more convenience stores near their schools had an increased risk of obesity. The findings provided evidences for developing public health policy to restrict the number of convenience stores near school to prevent and control childhood obesity.