Neighborhood Social Environment and Cardiovascular Disease Risk

AbstractPurpose of ReviewLimited physical activity (PA) and obesity are two primary risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Within a socio-ecological framework, neighborhood social environment may play a key role in influencing PA and obesity. However, the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain ambiguous. Our goals in this review are as follows: (1) to summarize findings from the recent studies on neighborhood social environment in relation to PA and obesity as CVD risk factors, and (2) to briefly describe several innovative approaches to assessing neighborhood social environment.Recent FindingsAlmost all recent studies assessed neighborhood social environment around residential areas. There were consistent associations between neighborhood social environment and PA and obesity, with some exceptions (indicating null associations or paradoxical associations). However, a focus on residential social environment may limit results because these studies did not account for any exposures occurring away from individuals ’ homes. Additionally, the majority of studies utilized a cross-sectional design, which limits our ability to make inferences regarding the causality of the association between neighborhood social environment and PA or obesity as CV risk factors.SummaryThe majority of the studies on neighborhood social environment characterized factors around residential areas and assessed participant activity via self-reported surveys. Future research should leverage...

Source: Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports - March 7, 2019 Category: Cardiology Source Type: research