Interplay between genetic risk and built neighborhood conditions as predictor of BMI across the transition into adulthood

Obesity (Silver Spring)Published Longitudinal cohort study

Authors' conclusion

We found limited evidence that moving to neighborhoods with higher fast-food restaurant density or less walkability was associated with BMI changes or that genetic risk moderated these associations. Our findings suggest that associations between the built environment and BMI changes during the transition into young adulthood are likely small.

Study context

Population
Individuals aged 16 to 25 years in the TRacking Adolescents' Individual Lives Survey (TRAILS) cohort, across the transition from adolescence to young adulthood1,676 with genetic risk data
Participants
2,735 individuals
Exposure
Changes in fast-food restaurant density and walkability, and their interaction with genetic risk, in relation to BMI changes
Outcome
Changes in BMI
Methodological detailslatent growth model, linked built environment data (GECCO) for 2006, 2010 and 2016
  • Latent growth model
  • Linked built environment data (GECCO) for 2006, 2010 and 2016

Main finding

As reported in the abstract

BMI change

Change in fast-food restaurant density (Δ2010-2006), β (95% CI −0.11 to 0.03); not associated with BMI changes

−0.04

Change in walkability (Δ2010-2006), β (95% CI −0.14 to 0.05); not associated with BMI changes

−0.05

Observational data: associations, not effects.

Further findings

Moderation by genetic risk

Genetic risk did not moderate the associations of fast-food restaurant density and walkability changes with BMI changes

Original publication

Interplay between genetic risk and built neighborhood conditions as predictor of BMI across the transition into adulthood. Obesity (Silver Spring). Published 19 January 2025. doi:10.1002/oby.24213

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