International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · 5 authors, 6 centres
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This population-based study of 16,820 Connecticut adults used structural equation modeling to examine how neighborhood social environment relates to body mass index (BMI). It found that mental wellbeing and low physical activity are significant mediating pathways linking a less favorable social environment to higher BMI.
A cross-sectional study analyzed data from 16,820 adults across Connecticut towns. Researchers used structural equation modeling to assess the direct and indirect effects of neighborhood social environment on BMI, with mental wellbeing and physical activity as intermediate variables. The results showed significant total, direct, and indirect effects of neighborhood social environment on BMI. Mental wellbeing significantly mediated the association between neighborhood social environment and BMI, as did physical activity. The study suggests that interventions prioritizing mental wellbeing could benefit obesity prevention. Limitations include reliance on self-reported data, a low response rate, and the cross-sectional design which precludes causal inferences.
