Association between the Fast-Food Environment and Obesity in Canada: A Cross-sectional Analysis

Frequent fast-food consumption is associated with weight gain therefore it is hypothesized that relative availability of fast-food is a risk factor for obesity. This thesis examined the association between the neighbourhood-level density of fast-food outlets and adult body mass index (BMI) in Canada. Population-based data on BMI and socio-economic variables from the 2008 Canadian Community Health Survey [CCHS] and selected neighbourhood-level socio-economic data from 2006 Canadian Census were merged with a commercial database containing geographic locations of all restaurants in Canada. The association between BMI and fast-food density (per 10,000 people in CCHS respondent’s FSA) was analyzed using ordinary least squares regression. Spatial clustering of BMI was also investigated and spatial-regression analysis was conducted. FSA-level fast-food density is significantly associated with BMI in Canadian adults, predominantly in females and non-rural area. This population-based analysis established that availability of fast-food restaurants is an important risk factor for obesity in Canada.

Name thesis:degree_name

M Sc

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Grantor dc:publisher

The University of Western Ontario

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Hollands, Simon

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Sisira Sarma

• Obesity
• Body Mass Index
• Built Environment
• Fast-food Restaurant
• Food Service Environment
• Convenience

Language dc:language.iso

en_ca

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14721/28253

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:uwo.scholaris.ca:20.500.14721/28253