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

ABSTRACT

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.

KEYWORDS:

• Obesogenic environment
• physical activity
• healthy eating
• index measurement
• spatial clustering

Disclosure Statement

There are no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Data Availability Statement

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. All sources for data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article in Table 1. Additional methods for creating variables for analysis are available in the methods text.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under cooperative agreement # U1CRH30539. The information, conclusions, and opinions expressed in this brief are those of the authors and no endorsement by FORHP, HRSA, or HHS is intended or should be inferred.