Identifying multilevel predictors of behavioral outcomes like park use: A comparison of conditional and marginal modeling approaches.

This study compared marginal and conditional modeling approaches for identifying individual, park and neighborhood park use predictors. Data were derived from the ParkIndex study, which occurred in 128 block groups in Brooklyn (New York), Seattle (Washington), Raleigh (North Carolina), and Greenville (South Carolina). Survey respondents (n = 320) indicated parks within one half-mile of their block group used within the past month. Parks (n = 263) were audited using the Community Park Audit Tool. Measures were collected at the individual (park visitation, physical activity, sociodemographic characteristics), park (distance, quality, size), and block group (park count, population density, age structure, racial composition, walkability) levels. Generalized linear mixed models and generalized estimating equations were used. Ten-fold cross validation compared predictive performance of models. Conditional and marginal models identified common park use predictors: participant race, participant education, distance to parks, park quality, and population >65yrs. Additionally, the conditional mode identified park size as a park use predictor. The conditional model exhibited superior predictive value compared to the marginal model, and they exhibited similar generalizability. Future research should consider conditional and marginal approaches for analyzing health behavior data and employ cross-validation techniques to identify instances where marginal models display superior or comparable performance.

Prevalence of vision zero action plans or strategies: USA, 2021.

BACKGROUND: Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate traffic fatalities and to promote equitable mobility options for all road users. Using a nationally representative survey, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of Vision Zero action plans or strategies in the USA. METHODS: Municipal officials were surveyed in 2021. In this cross-sectional study, we calculated the prevalence of Vision Zero plans or strategies and compared municipalities with adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) to account for region and sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: Among 1955 municipalities participating in the survey (question-specific response rate: 44.3%), the prevalence of a Vision Zero action plan or strategy was 7.7%; 70.5% responded no and 21.8% don't know. Prevalence was 4.8% in small municipalities (1000-2499 residents), 20.3% in medium-large municipalities (50 000-124 999 residents; PR=4.1), and 37.8% in large municipalities (≥125 000 residents; PR=7.6). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of Vision Zero plans and strategies across the USA is low. Additional adoption of Vision Zero plans and strategies could help address traffic fatalities.

Arthritis Prevalence Among Veterans - United States, 2017-2021.

Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition and a leading cause of chronic pain and disability. Because arthritis prevalence is higher among U.S. military veterans (veterans), and because the veteran population has become more sexually, racially, ethnically, and geographically diverse, updated arthritis prevalence estimates are needed. CDC analyzed pooled 2017-2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data to estimate the prevalence of diagnosed arthritis among veterans and nonveterans, stratified by sex and selected demographic characteristics. Approximately one third of veterans had diagnosed arthritis (unadjusted prevalence = 34.7% [men] and 31.9% [women]). Among men aged 18-44 years, arthritis prevalence among veterans was double that of nonveterans (prevalence ratio [PR] = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.9-2.2), and among men aged 45-64 years, arthritis prevalence among veterans was 30% higher than that among nonveterans (PR = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.3-1.4). Among women aged 18-44 years, arthritis prevalence among veterans was 60% higher than that among nonveterans (PR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.4-1.7); among women aged 45-64 years, arthritis prevalence among veterans was 20% higher than that among nonveterans (PR = 1.2; 95% CI = 1.1-1.3). Cultivating partnerships with veteran-serving organizations to promote or deliver arthritis-appropriate interventions might be advantageous, especially for states where arthritis prevalence among veterans is highest. The high prevalence of arthritis among female veterans, veterans aged ≥65 years, and veterans with disabilities highlights the importance of ensuring equitable access and inclusion when offering arthritis-appropriate interventions.

Prevalence of Diagnosed Arthritis - United States, 2019-2021.

Arthritis includes approximately 100 conditions that affect the joints and surrounding tissues. It is a leading cause of activity limitations, disability, and chronic pain, and is associated with dispensed opioid prescriptions, substantially contributing to health care costs. Combined 2019-2021 National Health Interview Survey data were analyzed to update national prevalence estimates of self-reported diagnosed arthritis. An estimated 21.2% (18.7% age-standardized) of U.S. adults aged ≥18 years (53.2 million) had diagnosed arthritis during this time frame. Age-standardized arthritis prevalences were higher among women (20.9%) than men (16.3%), among veterans (24.2%) than nonveterans (18.5%), and among non-Hispanic White (20.1%) than among Hispanic or Latino (14.7%) or non-Hispanic Asian adults (10.3%). Adults aged ≥45 years represent 88.3% of all U.S. adults with arthritis. Unadjusted arthritis prevalence was high among adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (57.6%), dementia (55.9%), a disability (54.8%), stroke (52.6%), heart disease (51.5%), diabetes (43.1%), or cancer (43.1%). Approximately one half of adults aged ≥65 years with COPD, dementia, stroke, heart disease, diabetes, or cancer also had a diagnosis of arthritis. These prevalence estimates can be used to guide public health policies and activities to increase equitable access to physical activity opportunities within the built environment and other arthritis-appropriate, evidence-based interventions.

Meeting the Healthy People 2030 Added Sugars Target.

INTRODUCTION: Many Americans exceed the dietary recommendations for added sugars. Healthy People 2030 set a population target mean of 11.5% calories from added sugars for persons aged ≥2 years. This paper describes the reductions needed in population groups with varying added sugars intake to meet this target using four different public health approaches. METHODS: Data from the 2015-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n=15,038) and the National Cancer Institute method were used to estimate the usual percentage calories from added sugars. Four approaches investigated lowering intake among (1) the general U.S. population, (2) people exceeding the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendation for added sugars (≥10% calories/day), (3) high consumers of added sugars (≥15% calories/day), or (4) people exceeding the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendation for added sugars with two different reductions on the basis of added sugars intake. Added sugars intake was examined before and after reduction by sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: To meet the Healthy People 2030 target using the 4 approaches, added sugars intake needs to decrease by an average of (1) 13.7 calories/day for the general population; (2) 22.0 calories/day for people exceeding the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendation; (3) 56.6 calories/day for high consumers; or (4) 13.9 and 32.3 calories/day for people consuming 10 to <15% and ≥15% calories from added sugars, respectively. Differences in added sugars intake were observed before and after reduction by race/ethnicity, age, and income. CONCLUSIONS: The Healthy People 2030 added sugars target is achievable with modest reductions in added sugars intake, ranging from 14 to 57 calories/day depending on the approach.

Exploring Disparities in Youth Physical Activity Environments by Income and Non-Hispanic White Population Across the United States.

This study investigated relationships between youth physical activity (PA) environments and income and non-Hispanic White population across the United States, stratified by US Census region and urban-rural designation. For all counties (n = 3142), publicly accessible data were used for sociodemographic indicators (ie, median household income and percent non-Hispanic White population) and a composite PA environment index (including exercise opportunities, violent crime incidence, walkability, and access to public schools). One-way analysis of variance was used to examine differences in PA environment index values according to income and non-Hispanic White population tertiles. There were significant differences in PA environments according to tertiles of income (F = 493.5, P < .001) and non-Hispanic White population (F = 58.6, P < .001), including variations by region and urban-rural designation. Public health practice and policy initiatives, such as joint use agreements, Safe Routes to School programs, and targeted funding allocations, should be used to address more pronounced income-based disparities in Southern and metropolitan counties and race-based disparities in rural and micropolitan counties.

Incongruency of youth food and physical activity environments in the United States: Variations by region, rurality, and income.

Local environments are increasingly the focus of health behavior research and practice to reduce gaps between fruit/vegetable intake, physical activity (PA), and related guidelines. This study examined the congruency between youth food and PA environments and differences by region, rurality, and income across the United States. Food and PA environment data were obtained for all U.S. counties (N = 3142) using publicly available, secondary sources. Relationships between the food and PA environment tertiles was represented using five categories: 1) congruent-low (county falls in both the low food and PA tertiles), 2) congruent-high (county falls in both the high food and PA tertiles), 3) incongruent-food high/PA low (county falls in high food and low PA tertiles), 4) incongruent-food low/PA high (county falls in low food and high PA tertiles), and 5) intermediate food or PA (county falls in the intermediate tertile for food and/or PA). Results showed disparities in food and PA environment congruency according to region, rurality, and income (p < .0001 for each). Nearly 25% of counties had incongruent food and PA environments, with food high/PA low counties mostly in rural and low-income areas, and food low/PA high counties mostly in metropolitan and high-income areas. Approximately 8.7% of counties were considered congruent-high and were mostly located in the Northeast, metropolitan, and high-income areas. Congruent-low counties made up 10.0% of counties and were mostly in the South, rural, and low-income areas. National and regional disparities in environmental obesity determinants were identified that can inform targeted public health interventions.

Frequency of Neighborhood Park Use Is Associated With Physical Activity Among Adults in Four US Cities.

BACKGROUND: Neighborhood parks are recognized as important spaces for facilitating physical activity (PA); however, it remains unclear how the frequency of park use is associated with PA. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between minutes of moderate to vigorous PA and multiple park use indicators: (1) use of a neighborhood park, (2) unique number of neighborhood parks used, and (3) frequency of neighborhood park use. METHODS: Adults were surveyed from 4 US cities (Brooklyn, NY; Greenville County, SC; Raleigh, NC; and Seattle, WA). Using a map-based survey platform, participants indicated all neighborhood parks they used and the frequency of use in the past 30 days. Participants self-reported their weekly moderate to vigorous PA. Quantile regression was used to examine associations between PA and park use indicators. RESULTS: Of all respondents (N = 360), 60% indicated visiting a neighborhood park in the past 30 days, with an average of about 13 total neighborhood park visits (SD = 17.5). Significant, positive associations were found between moderate to vigorous PA and both unique neighborhood park visits and total number of neighborhood parks visits. CONCLUSIONS: Frequency of park visitation is associated with PA among US adults. Ensuring equitable and safe access to neighborhood parks has the potential for population-level PA health benefits.

Spatial clustering patterns and regional variations for food and physical activity environments across the United States.

This study examined spatial patterns of obesogenic environments for US counties. We mapped the geographic dispersion of food and physical activity (PA) environments, assessed spatial clustering, and identified food and PA environment differences across U.S. regions and rurality categories. Substantial low food score clusters were located in the South and high score clusters in the Midwest and West. Low PA score clusters were located in the South and high score clusters in the Northeast and Midwest (p < .0001). For region, the South had significantly lower food and PA environment scores. For rurality, rural counties had significantly higher food environment scores and metropolitan counties had significantly higher PA environment scores (p < .0001). This study highlights geographic clustering and disparities in food and PA access nationwide. State and region-wide environmental inequalities may be targeted using structural interventions and policy initiatives to improve food and PA access.

ParkIndex: Validation and application of a pragmatic measure of park access and use.

Composite metrics integrating park availability, features, and quality for a given address or neighborhood are lacking. The purposes of this study were to describe the validation, application, and demonstration of ParkIndex in four diverse communities. This study occurred in Fall 2018 in 128 census block groups within Seattle(WA), Brooklyn(NY), Raleigh(NC), and Greenville County(SC). All parks within a half-mile buffer were audited to calculate a composite park quality score, and select households provided data about use of proximal parks via an online, map-based survey. For each household, the number of parks, total park acreage, and average park quality score within one half-mile were calculated using GIS. Logistic regression was used to identify a parsimonious model predicting park use. ParkIndex values (representing the probability of park use) were mapped for all study areas and after scenarios involving the addition and renovation/improvement of parks. Out of 360 participants, 23.3% reported visiting a park within the past 30 days. The number of parks (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.15-1.62), total park acreage (OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.07-1.19), and average park quality score (OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 1.01-1.06) within one half-mile were all associated with park use. Composite ParkIndex values across the study areas ranged from 0 to 100. Hypothetical additions of or renovations to study area parks resulted in ParkIndex increases of 22.7% and 19.2%, respectively. ParkIndex has substantial value for park and urban planners, citizens, and researchers as a common metric to facilitate awareness, decision-making, and intervention planning related to park access, environmental justice, and community health.

Healthy and unhealthy food environments are linked with neighbourhood socio-economic disadvantage: an innovative geospatial approach to understanding food access inequities.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the separate relationships between socio-economic disadvantage and the density of multiple types of food outlets, and relationships between socio-economic disadvantage and composite food environment indices. DESIGN: Cross-sectional data were analysed using geospatial kernel density techniques. Food outlet data included convenience stores, discount stores, fast-food and fast casual restaurants, and grocery stores. Controlling for urbanicity and race/ethnicity, multivariate linear regression was used to examine the relationships between socio-economic disadvantage and density of food outlets. SETTING: This study occurred in a large Southeastern US county containing 255 census block groups with a total population of 474 266, of which 77·1 % was Non-Hispanic White, the median household income was $48 886 and 15·0 % of residents lived below 125 % of the federal poverty line. PARTICIPANTS: The unit of analysis was block groups; all data about neighbourhood socio-economic disadvantage and food outlets were publicly available. RESULTS: As block group socio-economic disadvantage increased, so too did access to all types of food outlets. The total food environment index, calculated as the ratio of unhealthy food outlets to all food outlets, decreased as block group disadvantage increased. CONCLUSIONS: Those who reside in more disadvantaged block groups have greater access to both healthy and unhealthy food outlets. The density of unhealthy establishments was greater in more disadvantaged areas; however, because of having greater access to grocery stores, disadvantaged populations have less obesogenic total food environments. Structural changes are needed to reduce access to unhealthy food outlets to ensure environmental injustice and reduce obesity risk.

Development of a national childhood obesogenic environment index in the United States: differences by region and rurality.

BACKGROUND: Diverse environmental factors are associated with physical activity (PA) and healthy eating (HE) among youth. However, no study has created a comprehensive obesogenic environment index for children that can be applied at a large geographic scale. The purpose of this study was to describe the development of a childhood obesogenic environment index (COEI) at the county level across the United States. METHODS: A comprehensive search of review articles (n = 20) and input from experts (n = 12) were used to identify community-level variables associated with youth PA, HE, or overweight/obesity for potential inclusion in the index. Based on strength of associations in the literature, expert ratings, expertise of team members, and data source availability, 10 key variables were identified - six related to HE (# per 1000 residents for grocery/superstores, farmers markets, fast food restaurants, full-service restaurants, and convenience stores; as well as percentage of births at baby (breastfeeding)-friendly facilities) and four related to PA (percentage of population living close to exercise opportunities, percentage of population < 1 mile from a school, a composite walkability index, and number of violent crimes per 1000 residents). Data for each variable for all counties in the U.S. (n = 3142) were collected from publicly available sources. For each variable, all counties were ranked and assigned percentiles ranging from 0 to 100. Positive environmental variables (e.g., grocery stores, exercise opportunities) were reverse scored such that higher values for all variables indicated a more obesogenic environment. Finally, for each county, a total obesogenic environment index score was generated by calculating the average percentile for all 10 variables. RESULTS: The average COEI percentile ranged from 24.5-81.0 (M = 50.02,s.d. = 9.01) across US counties and was depicted spatially on a choropleth map. Obesogenic counties were more prevalent (F = 130.43,p < .0001) in the South region of the U.S. (M = 53.0,s.d. = 8.3) compared to the Northeast (M = 43.2,s.d. = 6.9), Midwest (M = 48.1,s.d. = 8.5), and West (M = 48.4,s.d. = 9.8). When examined by rurality, there were also significant differences (F = 175.86,p < .0001) between metropolitan (M = 46.5,s.d. = 8.4), micropolitan (M = 50.3,s.d. = 8.1), and rural counties (M = 52.9,s.d. = 8.8) across the U.S. CONCLUSION: The COEI can be applied to benchmark obesogenic environments and identify geographic disparities and intervention targets. Future research can examine associations with obesity and other health outcomes.

ParkIndex: Using Key Informant Interviews to Inform the Development of a New Park Access Evaluation Tool.

The relationship between park availability, physical activity, and positive health outcomes has been documented across the globe. However, studying how people access parks and why they use the parks is difficult due to a lack of consensus with respect to measurement approaches and assessment of park environments. Establishing a parsimonious method and tool for quantifying both park availability and park quality represents a major step that could advance park and physical activity research and practice. This paper describes phase one of the effort to develop such a measurement tool, known as ParkIndex. ParkIndex is a two-year National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded study to create an evidence-based tool that will assist citizens and professionals in understanding and using information regarding community park access and use. Phase one consisted of key informant interviews conducted with research and practice leaders to inform development and provide insight on the essential foundations of ParkIndex. Twelve professionals from practice and academia, including parks and recreation, landscape design, and public health sectors, were interviewed in fall 2016. Key informants were interviewed on four topics concerning the content, value, feasibility, and dissemination of ParkIndex. Trained research assistants employed double, emergent, open, and axial coding methods to develop key themes and concepts to guide phase 2 and further development of ParkIndex. Key themes throughout the interviews included measures for park use, including distance, safety, neighborhood characteristics, route and travel mode to park, and overall park characteristics. Park elements discussed included quality of, and availability of, amenities, activity spaces, programming, and park management, as well as the context of the park and the engagement of the local community. Respondents determined that ParkIndex could benefit park planning and community development and provide for a standardized method for evaluating park access. Interviews and themes offer parks and public health practitioners and researchers-and this specific ParkIndex development team-the opportunity to refine and evaluate measures to be included in a comprehensive park access and use tool. Key informants repeatedly referenced the need, especially within parks and recreation management, for consistent, reliable, and valid measures of park access and use, such as ParkIndex seeks to provide. We believe a well-conceived, integrated index will at the very least allow for greater comparison between parks and park systems and at best will facilitate the many park stakeholders to best design, maintain, program, research, and advocate for their local parks.

Associations between Walkability and Youth Obesity: Differences by Urbanicity.

Background: Attributes of the built environment, such as neighborhood walkability, have been linked to increased physical activity and reduced obesity risk. This relationship, however, has primarily been documented in adults; less is known about neighborhood walkability and youth obesity, as limited prior research has produced mixed findings. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between neighborhood walkability and youth obesity, including differences by urbanicity. Methods: Data were collected in 2013 from youth aged 7-14 years (n = 13,469) in a Southeastern county school district. Height and weight were objectively measured and utilized to calculate body mass index (BMI) z-scores. Youth demographic characteristics and addresses were obtained, and a Walk Score® was gathered for each youth's home address. Multilevel linear regression analysis, accounting for nesting within census block groups, was conducted to examine the association between Walk Score and BMI z-score and to test for the moderating effect of urbanicity. Separate multilevel analyses examined Walk Score and BMI z-score among urban, urban-rural mixed, and rural youth subsamples. Results: Overall, as Walk Score increased, youth BMI z-score decreased. Walk Score was positively associated with BMI z-score among urban youth and negatively associated with BMI z-score among rural youth; no relationship was observed between Walk Score and youth in urban-rural mixed areas. Conclusions: Neighborhood walkability may impact youth differently across geographic areas. Further study is warranted about how youth utilize a walkable environment and mechanisms through which walkability influences youth physical activity and obesity risk.

Walkable Urban Design Attributes and Japanese Older Adults' Body Mass Index: Mediation Effects of Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior.

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to examine associations between objectively measured walkable urban design attributes with Japanese older adults' body mass index (BMI) and to test whether objectively assessed physical activity and sedentary behavior mediated such associations. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Matsudo City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were 297 older residents (aged 65-84 years) randomly selected from the registry of residential addresses. MEASURES: Walkable urban design attributes, including population density, availability of physical activity facilities, intersection density, and access to public transportation stations, were calculated using geographic information systems. Physical activity, sedentary behavior, and BMI were measured objectively. ANALYSIS: The relationships of walkable urban design attributes, Walk Score®, and BMI were examined by multiple linear regression with adjustment for covariates in all models. Mediation effects of the physical activity and sedentary behavior variables in these relationships were tested using a product-of-coefficients test. RESULTS: Higher population density and Walk Score® were associated with lower BMI. Light and moderate-to-vigorous physical activities partially mediated the relationships between these walkable urban design attributes and BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Developing active-friendly environmental policies to (re)design neighborhoods may not only promote active transport behaviors but also help in improving residents' health status in non-Western contexts.

'We need a safe, walkable way to connect our sisters and brothers': a qualitative study of opportunities and challenges for neighborhood-based physical activity among residents of low-income African-American communities.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of the benefits of and influencing factors for neighborhood-based physical activity (PA), and elicit suggestions for increasing neighborhood-based PA among primarily Black residents living in lower income neighborhoods. DESIGN: Eight focus groups were conducted in low-income, predominantly Black neighborhoods (n = 8) in Greenville, SC during Spring 2014. Using a semi-structured focus group guide with open-ended questions, residents were asked to describe benefits of PA, neighborhood factors associated with PA, and ways to increase PA within their neighborhoods. Trained research assistants transcribed audio recordings verbatim. Using grounded theory and an ecological perspective, emergent coding was employed to generate initial categories with open and axial coding used to achieve consensus on themes. RESULTS: Primarily Black (95%), female (72%), and older (M = 61.5 years) residents (N = 76) participated in the study. Seven themes were identified across the three main focus group topics: physical and mental health benefits of neighborhood PA, safety/hazards and social factors as influencing neighborhood PA, and improving safety, structural opportunities, and programing support to improve neighborhood PA. Most participants reported walking within their communities, despite describing several community-level barriers (e.g. drugs, safety). Residents desired structured neighborhood-based opportunities for increasing PA, including walking tracks and walking groups, and reported social benefits to being active, including increased awareness within the community and trust. Participants conveyed that walking strengthened the social environment of their community as well as the health of residents. CONCLUSION: Few studies of contextual factors and PA have focused on African-American, low-income neighborhoods. Despite diverse environmental constraints, residents reported walking within their communities as part of a healthy lifestyle. Social ecological interventions tailored to promote PA and reduce health disparities among residents of low-income communities should highlight neighborhood-based opportunities for PA, focusing on personal and collective social benefits of neighborhood walking.

Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Uptake before and after the Affordable Care Act: Variation According to Insurance Status, Race, and Education (NHANES 2006-2014).

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to compare human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates before and after Affordable Care Act (ACA) implementation among women, and examine differences according to insurance status and other sociodemographic variables. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey questionnaire data. Participants (n = 4599) were from a random sample of the United States population. INTERVENTIONS AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: HPV vaccination status and number of doses received according to age, income, education, race, and insurance coverage. RESULTS: Over time, the proportion of women reporting HPV vaccination increased from 16.4% to 27.6%, and reporting vaccination completion (3 doses) increased from 56.8% to 67.2%. After ACA implementation, respondents were 3.3 times more likely to be vaccinated compared with before ACA implementation (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.0-5.5) adjusting for age, race, and insurance coverage. Similarly, respondents were more likely to have received 2 (odds ratio, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.5-5.3) or 3 doses (odds ratio, 5.8; 95% CI, 2.5-13.6). CONCLUSION: Vaccination uptake increased in a comparison of waves of data from before and after ACA implementation. This increase in vaccination coverage could be related to the increased preventative service coverage, which includes vaccines, required by the ACA. Future studies might focus on the role insurance has on vaccination uptake, and meeting Healthy People 2020 objectives for vaccination coverage.