Project Team: Helen Brown (PI), Christopher Murphy, Chantal Vella, Marco Mesa-Frias, Michelle Wiest
This project will aim to develop or adapt an existing model to generate small area estimates in Idaho counties of the factors that place individuals at highest risk for obesity (e.g. sedentary behaviors, food insecurity, sugar-sweetened beverage consumption). Knowledge of the local environment is often critical in public health planning and development. In the model, selected demographic characteristics, health conditions, health behaviors, and health status will be estimated to provide a precise geographical picture of the relevant local population. The model will attempt to synthesize a geographically-relevant study population in their local context using various datasets. The American Community Survey (e.g. census) will be used to provide the geographical and demographical context at the local level, and it will be linked to regional datasets such as the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFFS) to provide domain relevant information, mainly in the context of health-related lifestyles. Prevalence of obesity indicators and other risk factors will be estimated for Idaho counties and local authorities in 2013/2014 to identify the “hot spots” or those counties with the highest risk of obesity.