Exploring Housing Determinants of Obesity Prevalence Using Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression in Chicago, Illinois

To date, research has largely ignored residential determinants of obesity prevalence. There is very little information on whether these impacts change spatially and operate at different spatial scales. As a result, the purpose of this study is to identify the housing determinants of obesity in Chicago, Illinois, using multiscale geographically weighted regression. The main factors associated with obesity prevalence in Chicago, according to the findings, are housing affordability and housing stability. The rising burden of housing rent expenses, in particular, is related to an increase in the percentage of obese people. Additionally, the study found that the relationships between housing covariates and obesity are spatially heterogeneous and operate at various spatial scales. Finally, this study calls for multiscale and multidisciplinary policies to reduce obesity prevalence.