Overweight/obesity among social network members has an inverse relationship with Baltimore public housing residents' BMI.

ABSTRACT: The American Heart Association has encouraged networks research focused on cardiovascular disease and its risk factors, such as obesity. However, little network research has focused on minorities or low-income populations. Our objective was to characterize the relationship between body mass index (BMI) with social network overweight/obesity among public housing residents in Baltimore, MD - a predominantly black, low-income group. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of randomly selected public housing residences (8/2014-8/2015). Adults had their height and weight measured and reported their network members' weight statuses using pictograms. Our dependent variable was respondents' BMI, and independent variable was perceived exposure to overweight/obesity in the social network. We also expl

SUBMITTER: Gudzune KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6378834 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature