Evaluating the Link Between Neighborhood Environments and Obesity Among African American Women

March 27, 2012 updated by: Boston University

Effect of Urban Form on Exercise and BMI in Black Women

African American women have higher rates of obesity than women of any other racial or ethnic group in the United States. Obesity can have many causes, including genetic and environmental factors. This study will examine how neighborhood environments influence the occurrence of obesity among African American women.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Conditions

Detailed Description

Obesity, which leads to higher rates of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, is an increasingly important public health problem. In 2000, over 78% of African American women were overweight, and over 50% were obese. Several factors can contribute to obesity, including genetics, diet, and environmental factors. Individuals who live in an environment in which it is difficult to maintain an active lifestyle are more prone to obesity. The Black Women's Health Study (BWHS) is an extensive long-term study that is gathering data from women across the country to examine the occurrence of various diseases among African American women. Using BWHS study data and specific information on participants' neighborhoods, including street layout and the presence of sidewalks, this study will determine if neighborhood environments influence the prevalence of obesity among African American women.

This study will use already-collected data on physical activity and body mass index of BWHS study participants who live in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago; there are no additional study visits specifically for this study. A transportation and urban planning expert will compile data regarding the pedestrian environment of neighborhoods in all three cities, including the nature and density of land use, proximity to parks, presence of sidewalks, speed and volume of traffic, and street structure. Census data regarding participants' socioeconomic status will also be collected.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

23000

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Massachusetts
      • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02215
        • Slone Epidemiology Center, Boston University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

21 years to 69 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Genders Eligible for Study

Female

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The Black Women's Health Study cohort comprises 59,000 African American women recruited mainly from subscribers to Essence magazine who returned the baseline 1995 survey.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Participating in the BWHS study
  • Residing in New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
1
This cohort comprises women from the Black Women's Health Study, a prospective study of African American women, who lived in the Los Angeles, New York, or Chicago metropolitan areas at the time of completion of the 1995, 1997, or 1999 questionnaires.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Influence of neighborhood environments on obesity among African American women
Time Frame: Measured through the use of BWHS study data and neighborhood study data
Measured through the use of BWHS study data and neighborhood study data

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Boston University

Collaborators

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Patricia F. Coogan, ScD, Boston University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

June 1, 2006

Primary Completion (Actual)

February 1, 2011

Study Completion (Actual)

February 1, 2011

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 25, 2006

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 25, 2006

First Posted (Estimate)

July 26, 2006

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

March 28, 2012

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 27, 2012

Last Verified

March 1, 2012

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 1343
  • R01HL081399-01A1 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)
  • HL081399-01A1

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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