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Environmental phenotypes for healthy weight in children using population-based linked environment and health data: a cross-sectional observational study
Jo Davies,
Rowena Bailey,
Rebecca Pedrick-Case 
,
Gareth Stratton,
Dora Pouliou ,
Amy Mizen ,
Hayley Christian,
Bryan Boruff,
Ronan Lyons,
Rich Fry ,
Lucy Griffiths
,
Gareth Stratton,
Dora Pouliou ,
Amy Mizen ,
Hayley Christian,
Bryan Boruff,
Ronan Lyons,
Rich Fry ,
Lucy Griffiths
Health & Place, Volume: 100, Start page: 103681
Swansea University Authors:
Jo Davies, Rowena Bailey, Rebecca Pedrick-Case , Gareth Stratton, Dora Pouliou , Amy Mizen , Ronan Lyons, Rich Fry , Lucy Griffiths
DOI (Published version): 10.1016/j.healthplace.2026.103681
Abstract
Childhood obesity is a major global health challenge, projected to affect one in three children worldwide by 2050. While individual and social factors contribute, increasing evidence highlights the built environment as a key determinant in shaping children's behaviours and weight outcomes. Evid...
| Published in: | Health & Place |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 1873-2054 |
| Published: |
Elsevier BV
2026
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| Online Access: |
Check full text
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa72109 |
| first_indexed |
2026-06-18T11:45:28Z |
|---|---|
| last_indexed |
2026-06-19T05:50:48Z |
| id |
cronfa72109 |
| recordtype |
SURis |
| fullrecord |
<?xml version="1.0"?><rfc1807><datestamp>2026-06-18T12:47:26.0310197</datestamp><bib-version>v2</bib-version><id>72109</id><entry>2026-06-18</entry><title>Environmental phenotypes for healthy weight in children using population-based linked environment and health data: a cross-sectional observational study</title><swanseaauthors><author><sid>428483ed0603507e3c895f551134411e</sid><ORCID/><firstname>Jo</firstname><surname>Davies</surname><name>Jo Davies</name><active>true</active><ethesisStudent>false</ethesisStudent></author><author><sid>455e2c1e6193448f6269b9e72acaf865</sid><ORCID/><firstname>Rowena</firstname><surname>Bailey</surname><name>Rowena Bailey</name><active>true</active><ethesisStudent>false</ethesisStudent></author><author><sid>fd7504c69e0335c9e73028e785659f9e</sid><ORCID>0000-0003-2307-1808</ORCID><firstname>Rebecca</firstname><surname>Pedrick-Case</surname><name>Rebecca Pedrick-Case</name><active>true</active><ethesisStudent>false</ethesisStudent></author><author><sid>6d62b2ed126961bed81a94a2beba8a01</sid><ORCID/><firstname>Gareth</firstname><surname>Stratton</surname><name>Gareth Stratton</name><active>true</active><ethesisStudent>false</ethesisStudent></author><author><sid>f5b36a43fba4d0e04b23251dc2717186</sid><ORCID>0000-0002-1162-1174</ORCID><firstname>Dora</firstname><surname>Pouliou</surname><name>Dora Pouliou</name><active>true</active><ethesisStudent>false</ethesisStudent></author><author><sid>9e9db8229784e27fcd79a14ee097e10b</sid><ORCID>0000-0001-7516-6767</ORCID><firstname>Amy</firstname><surname>Mizen</surname><name>Amy Mizen</name><active>true</active><ethesisStudent>false</ethesisStudent></author><author><sid>83efcf2a9dfcf8b55586999d3d152ac6</sid><ORCID/><firstname>Ronan</firstname><surname>Lyons</surname><name>Ronan Lyons</name><active>true</active><ethesisStudent>false</ethesisStudent></author><author><sid>d499b898d447b62c81b2c122598870e0</sid><ORCID>0000-0002-7968-6679</ORCID><firstname>Rich</firstname><surname>Fry</surname><name>Rich Fry</name><active>true</active><ethesisStudent>false</ethesisStudent></author><author><sid>e35ea6ea4b429e812ef204b048131d93</sid><ORCID>0000-0001-9230-624X</ORCID><firstname>Lucy</firstname><surname>Griffiths</surname><name>Lucy Griffiths</name><active>true</active><ethesisStudent>false</ethesisStudent></author></swanseaauthors><date>2026-06-18</date><deptcode>MEDS</deptcode><abstract>Childhood obesity is a major global health challenge, projected to affect one in three children worldwide by 2050. While individual and social factors contribute, increasing evidence highlights the built environment as a key determinant in shaping children's behaviours and weight outcomes. Evidence suggests that neighbourhood design, greenspace access, and food retail availability influence diet and physical activity, but most studies rely on small samples or single-domain measures. We linked nationwide geographic information systems (GIS) data describing residential neighbourhoods with objectively measured child weight from a national Welsh surveillance programme for children aged 4-5 years. Using multiple indicators-including housing type, garden size, neighbourhood greenness, walkability, access to recreational spaces, and food outlet density - latent class analysis was used to identify distinct "environmental phenotypes." Associations between phenotypes and child weight status were examined using logistic regression. We identified discrete classes of residential environments characterised by varying combinations of built and food environment features. The model with five classes was the best fit overall, with percentage and number of households in each phenotypes: Rural, spacious and isolated 14% (24,266), Suburban 17% (29,324), Deprived and underserved 23% (39,227), Deprived and well-served 32% (53,210), and Dense, coastal and well-connected 13% (21,762). Children living in rural, spacious and isolated neighbourhoods, characterised as those with greater greenspace, private gardens, and walkable layouts, had significantly lower odds of overweight and obesity (OR = 0.89, CI = 0.86-0.93), whereas those in deprived and well-served neighbourhoods, characterised by high-density housing areas with limited greenspace and high fast-food outlet density, had elevated risk (OR = 1.09, CI = 1.06-1.13). These associations remained robust after adjustment for area-level deprivation and rurality. Our findings highlight the importance of the residential environment in early childhood obesity risk. Nationally linked GIS and health data enable robust classification of obesogenic environments, informing urban planning and public health strategies to promote healthier, child-friendly neighbourhoods.</abstract><type>Journal Article</type><journal>Health & Place</journal><volume>100</volume><journalNumber/><paginationStart>103681</paginationStart><paginationEnd/><publisher>Elsevier BV</publisher><placeOfPublication/><isbnPrint/><isbnElectronic/><issnPrint/><issnElectronic>1873-2054</issnElectronic><keywords/><publishedDay>1</publishedDay><publishedMonth>7</publishedMonth><publishedYear>2026</publishedYear><publishedDate>2026-07-01</publishedDate><doi>10.1016/j.healthplace.2026.103681</doi><url/><notes/><college>COLLEGE NANME</college><department>Medical School</department><CollegeCode>COLLEGE CODE</CollegeCode><DepartmentCode>MEDS</DepartmentCode><institution>Swansea University</institution><apcterm>Other</apcterm><funders>This work is part of the Built Environment and Child Health in Wales and Australia (BEACHES) project which is a joint initiative between Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia and Swansea University. The BEACHES Project is funded by the UKRI-NHMRC Built Environment Prevention Research Scheme (grant number GNT1192764 and MR/T039329/1). Administrative Data Research (ADR) Wales also supported this research, which forms part of the ADR UK investment that unites research expertise from Swansea University Medical School and WISERD (Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research and Data) at Cardiff University with analysts from Welsh Government. ADR UK is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), part of UK Research and Innovation. Hayley Christian is supported by an Australian National Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowship (102549) and partially supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Research Council's Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course (Project ID CE200100025).</funders><projectreference/><lastEdited>2026-06-18T12:47:26.0310197</lastEdited><Created>2026-06-18T12:31:45.9080366</Created><path><level id="1">Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences</level><level id="2">Swansea University Medical School - Health Data Science</level></path><authors><author><firstname>Jo</firstname><surname>Davies</surname><orcid/><order>1</order></author><author><firstname>Rowena</firstname><surname>Bailey</surname><orcid/><order>2</order></author><author><firstname>Rebecca</firstname><surname>Pedrick-Case</surname><orcid>0000-0003-2307-1808</orcid><order>3</order></author><author><firstname>Gareth</firstname><surname>Stratton</surname><orcid/><order>4</order></author><author><firstname>Dora</firstname><surname>Pouliou</surname><orcid>0000-0002-1162-1174</orcid><order>5</order></author><author><firstname>Amy</firstname><surname>Mizen</surname><orcid>0000-0001-7516-6767</orcid><order>6</order></author><author><firstname>Hayley</firstname><surname>Christian</surname><order>7</order></author><author><firstname>Bryan</firstname><surname>Boruff</surname><order>8</order></author><author><firstname>Ronan</firstname><surname>Lyons</surname><orcid/><order>9</order></author><author><firstname>Rich</firstname><surname>Fry</surname><orcid>0000-0002-7968-6679</orcid><order>10</order></author><author><firstname>Lucy</firstname><surname>Griffiths</surname><orcid>0000-0001-9230-624X</orcid><order>11</order></author></authors><documents><document><filename>72109__36995__fc24924539114b5e82127b868b92a3e0.pdf</filename><originalFilename>72109.VOR.pdf</originalFilename><uploaded>2026-06-18T12:43:25.0626702</uploaded><type>Output</type><contentLength>3374640</contentLength><contentType>application/pdf</contentType><version>Version of Record</version><cronfaStatus>true</cronfaStatus><documentNotes>This is an open access article under the CC BY license.</documentNotes><copyrightCorrect>true</copyrightCorrect><language>eng</language><licence>http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</licence></document></documents><OutputDurs/></rfc1807> |
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2026-06-18T12:47:26.0310197 v2 72109 2026-06-18 Environmental phenotypes for healthy weight in children using population-based linked environment and health data: a cross-sectional observational study 428483ed0603507e3c895f551134411e Jo Davies Jo Davies true false 455e2c1e6193448f6269b9e72acaf865 Rowena Bailey Rowena Bailey true false fd7504c69e0335c9e73028e785659f9e 0000-0003-2307-1808 Rebecca Pedrick-Case Rebecca Pedrick-Case true false 6d62b2ed126961bed81a94a2beba8a01 Gareth Stratton Gareth Stratton true false f5b36a43fba4d0e04b23251dc2717186 0000-0002-1162-1174 Dora Pouliou Dora Pouliou true false 9e9db8229784e27fcd79a14ee097e10b 0000-0001-7516-6767 Amy Mizen Amy Mizen true false 83efcf2a9dfcf8b55586999d3d152ac6 Ronan Lyons Ronan Lyons true false d499b898d447b62c81b2c122598870e0 0000-0002-7968-6679 Rich Fry Rich Fry true false e35ea6ea4b429e812ef204b048131d93 0000-0001-9230-624X Lucy Griffiths Lucy Griffiths true false 2026-06-18 MEDS Childhood obesity is a major global health challenge, projected to affect one in three children worldwide by 2050. While individual and social factors contribute, increasing evidence highlights the built environment as a key determinant in shaping children's behaviours and weight outcomes. Evidence suggests that neighbourhood design, greenspace access, and food retail availability influence diet and physical activity, but most studies rely on small samples or single-domain measures. We linked nationwide geographic information systems (GIS) data describing residential neighbourhoods with objectively measured child weight from a national Welsh surveillance programme for children aged 4-5 years. Using multiple indicators-including housing type, garden size, neighbourhood greenness, walkability, access to recreational spaces, and food outlet density - latent class analysis was used to identify distinct "environmental phenotypes." Associations between phenotypes and child weight status were examined using logistic regression. We identified discrete classes of residential environments characterised by varying combinations of built and food environment features. The model with five classes was the best fit overall, with percentage and number of households in each phenotypes: Rural, spacious and isolated 14% (24,266), Suburban 17% (29,324), Deprived and underserved 23% (39,227), Deprived and well-served 32% (53,210), and Dense, coastal and well-connected 13% (21,762). Children living in rural, spacious and isolated neighbourhoods, characterised as those with greater greenspace, private gardens, and walkable layouts, had significantly lower odds of overweight and obesity (OR = 0.89, CI = 0.86-0.93), whereas those in deprived and well-served neighbourhoods, characterised by high-density housing areas with limited greenspace and high fast-food outlet density, had elevated risk (OR = 1.09, CI = 1.06-1.13). These associations remained robust after adjustment for area-level deprivation and rurality. Our findings highlight the importance of the residential environment in early childhood obesity risk. Nationally linked GIS and health data enable robust classification of obesogenic environments, informing urban planning and public health strategies to promote healthier, child-friendly neighbourhoods. Journal Article Health & Place 100 103681 Elsevier BV 1873-2054 1 7 2026 2026-07-01 10.1016/j.healthplace.2026.103681 COLLEGE NANME Medical School COLLEGE CODE MEDS Swansea University Other This work is part of the Built Environment and Child Health in Wales and Australia (BEACHES) project which is a joint initiative between Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia and Swansea University. The BEACHES Project is funded by the UKRI-NHMRC Built Environment Prevention Research Scheme (grant number GNT1192764 and MR/T039329/1). Administrative Data Research (ADR) Wales also supported this research, which forms part of the ADR UK investment that unites research expertise from Swansea University Medical School and WISERD (Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research and Data) at Cardiff University with analysts from Welsh Government. ADR UK is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), part of UK Research and Innovation. Hayley Christian is supported by an Australian National Heart Foundation Future Leader Fellowship (102549) and partially supported by the Australian Government through the Australian Research Council's Centre of Excellence for Children and Families over the Life Course (Project ID CE200100025). 2026-06-18T12:47:26.0310197 2026-06-18T12:31:45.9080366 Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences Swansea University Medical School - Health Data Science Jo Davies 1 Rowena Bailey 2 Rebecca Pedrick-Case 0000-0003-2307-1808 3 Gareth Stratton 4 Dora Pouliou 0000-0002-1162-1174 5 Amy Mizen 0000-0001-7516-6767 6 Hayley Christian 7 Bryan Boruff 8 Ronan Lyons 9 Rich Fry 0000-0002-7968-6679 10 Lucy Griffiths 0000-0001-9230-624X 11 72109__36995__fc24924539114b5e82127b868b92a3e0.pdf 72109.VOR.pdf 2026-06-18T12:43:25.0626702 Output 3374640 application/pdf Version of Record true This is an open access article under the CC BY license. true eng http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
| title |
Environmental phenotypes for healthy weight in children using population-based linked environment and health data: a cross-sectional observational study |
| spellingShingle |
Environmental phenotypes for healthy weight in children using population-based linked environment and health data: a cross-sectional observational study Jo Davies Rowena Bailey Rebecca Pedrick-Case Gareth Stratton Dora Pouliou Amy Mizen Ronan Lyons Rich Fry Lucy Griffiths |
| title_short |
Environmental phenotypes for healthy weight in children using population-based linked environment and health data: a cross-sectional observational study |
| title_full |
Environmental phenotypes for healthy weight in children using population-based linked environment and health data: a cross-sectional observational study |
| title_fullStr |
Environmental phenotypes for healthy weight in children using population-based linked environment and health data: a cross-sectional observational study |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Environmental phenotypes for healthy weight in children using population-based linked environment and health data: a cross-sectional observational study |
| title_sort |
Environmental phenotypes for healthy weight in children using population-based linked environment and health data: a cross-sectional observational study |
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428483ed0603507e3c895f551134411e 455e2c1e6193448f6269b9e72acaf865 fd7504c69e0335c9e73028e785659f9e 6d62b2ed126961bed81a94a2beba8a01 f5b36a43fba4d0e04b23251dc2717186 9e9db8229784e27fcd79a14ee097e10b 83efcf2a9dfcf8b55586999d3d152ac6 d499b898d447b62c81b2c122598870e0 e35ea6ea4b429e812ef204b048131d93 |
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428483ed0603507e3c895f551134411e_***_Jo Davies 455e2c1e6193448f6269b9e72acaf865_***_Rowena Bailey fd7504c69e0335c9e73028e785659f9e_***_Rebecca Pedrick-Case 6d62b2ed126961bed81a94a2beba8a01_***_Gareth Stratton f5b36a43fba4d0e04b23251dc2717186_***_Dora Pouliou 9e9db8229784e27fcd79a14ee097e10b_***_Amy Mizen 83efcf2a9dfcf8b55586999d3d152ac6_***_Ronan Lyons d499b898d447b62c81b2c122598870e0_***_Rich Fry e35ea6ea4b429e812ef204b048131d93_***_Lucy Griffiths |
| author |
Jo Davies Rowena Bailey Rebecca Pedrick-Case Gareth Stratton Dora Pouliou Amy Mizen Ronan Lyons Rich Fry Lucy Griffiths |
| author2 |
Jo Davies Rowena Bailey Rebecca Pedrick-Case Gareth Stratton Dora Pouliou Amy Mizen Hayley Christian Bryan Boruff Ronan Lyons Rich Fry Lucy Griffiths |
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Journal article |
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Health & Place |
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100 |
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103681 |
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2026 |
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Swansea University |
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1873-2054 |
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10.1016/j.healthplace.2026.103681 |
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Elsevier BV |
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Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences |
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Swansea University Medical School - Health Data Science{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences{{{_:::_}}}Swansea University Medical School - Health Data Science |
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| description |
Childhood obesity is a major global health challenge, projected to affect one in three children worldwide by 2050. While individual and social factors contribute, increasing evidence highlights the built environment as a key determinant in shaping children's behaviours and weight outcomes. Evidence suggests that neighbourhood design, greenspace access, and food retail availability influence diet and physical activity, but most studies rely on small samples or single-domain measures. We linked nationwide geographic information systems (GIS) data describing residential neighbourhoods with objectively measured child weight from a national Welsh surveillance programme for children aged 4-5 years. Using multiple indicators-including housing type, garden size, neighbourhood greenness, walkability, access to recreational spaces, and food outlet density - latent class analysis was used to identify distinct "environmental phenotypes." Associations between phenotypes and child weight status were examined using logistic regression. We identified discrete classes of residential environments characterised by varying combinations of built and food environment features. The model with five classes was the best fit overall, with percentage and number of households in each phenotypes: Rural, spacious and isolated 14% (24,266), Suburban 17% (29,324), Deprived and underserved 23% (39,227), Deprived and well-served 32% (53,210), and Dense, coastal and well-connected 13% (21,762). Children living in rural, spacious and isolated neighbourhoods, characterised as those with greater greenspace, private gardens, and walkable layouts, had significantly lower odds of overweight and obesity (OR = 0.89, CI = 0.86-0.93), whereas those in deprived and well-served neighbourhoods, characterised by high-density housing areas with limited greenspace and high fast-food outlet density, had elevated risk (OR = 1.09, CI = 1.06-1.13). These associations remained robust after adjustment for area-level deprivation and rurality. Our findings highlight the importance of the residential environment in early childhood obesity risk. Nationally linked GIS and health data enable robust classification of obesogenic environments, informing urban planning and public health strategies to promote healthier, child-friendly neighbourhoods. |
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2026-07-01T05:31:14Z |
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11.110217 |