Seattle Obesity Study III: The Food & Fitness Environment Study

This study builds off of the previous studies (Seattle Obesity Study I and Seattle Obesity Study II), to assess whether social, economic, and environmental variables are related to diet, physical activity, and health behaviors over a 24-month period. The study population examines a diverse sample of adults across three geographically distinct counties in WA state (King, Pierce, and Yakima). Specifically, the aims were:

1. To determine whether social, economic, and environmental variables at baseline are related to subsequent changes in energy intakes, diet quality and cost, physical activity, and body weight trajectories over 24 mo.
2. To determine whether changes in the social, economic, and built environments, and measured changes in travel patterns, diets, and physical activity over 12 and 24 mo. can predict body weight trajectories.
3. To develop a new model explaining how socio-economic, environmental, dietary, and psychosocial variables affect obesity prevalence and/or weight change dynamics.
4. Self-reported and objective measures were used to collect data on dietary behaviors, food expenditures, physical activity, travel patterns, and weight outcomes. The interdisciplinary team has contributed to the development of new data collection methods and novel dietary indices. This study will contribute to a better understanding of social and geographic factors that relate to obesity.

Self-reported and objective measures were used to collect data on dietary behaviors, food expenditures, physical activity, travel patterns, and weight outcomes. The interdisciplinary team has contributed to the development of new data collection methods and
novel dietary indices. This study will contribute to a better understanding of social and geographic factors that relate to obesity.