Small-area estimation and prioritizing communities for obesity control in Massachusetts.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

We developed a method to evaluate geographic and temporal variations in community-level obesity prevalence and used that method to identify communities in Massachusetts that should be considered high priority communities for obesity control.

Methods

We developed small-area estimation models to estimate community-level obesity prevalence among community-living adults 18 years or older. Individual-level data from the Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System from 1999 to 2005 were integrated with community-level data from the 2000 US Census. Small-area estimation models assessed the associations of obesity (body mass index >or= 30 kg/m(2)) with individual- and community-level characteristics. A classification system based on level and precision of obesity prevalen

SUBMITTER: Li W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2642528 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature