TABLE 1.
Demographic and Neighborhood Characteristics at Recruitment Among Study Participants: California Teachers Study, 1995–1996
| Age, y, no. (%) | |
| ≤ 35 | 13 919 (11.8) |
| 36–45 | 22 155 (18.7) |
| 46–75 | 72 468 (61.2) |
| ≥ 76 | 9773 (8.3) |
| Race/Ethnicity, no. (%) | |
| White (non-Hispanic) | 102 135 (86.3) |
| Hispanic | 5089 (4.3) |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 4321 (3.7) |
| African American | 3179 (2.7) |
| Other or not reported | 3591 (3.0) |
| BMI, no. (%) | |
| Normal, < 25.0 | 69 103 (58.4) |
| Overweight, 25.0–29.9 | 28 140 (23.8) |
| Obese, ≥ 30.0 | 15 782 (13.3) |
| Unknown | 5290 (4.5) |
| Recent moderate or strenuous physical activity, no. (%) | |
| Low activity, < 2.5 h/wk | 58 973 (49.8) |
| High activity, ≥ 2.5 h/wk | 58 394 (49.4) |
| Unknown | 948 (0.8) |
| Area of residence, no. (%) | |
| Rural | 14 151 (12.0) |
| Small town | 4075 (3.4) |
| City | 21 783 (18.4) |
| Suburban | 65 593 (55.4) |
| Urban | 12 262 (10.4) |
| Unknown | 451 (0.4) |
| Neighborhood SES quartile,a no. (%) | |
| 1st, low | 4821 (4.1) |
| 2nd | 19 799 (16.7) |
| 3rd | 38 615 (32.5) |
| 4th, high | 54 591 (46.1) |
| Unknown | 489 (0.4) |
| Population density quartile,a no. (%) | |
| 0.00–0.86 people/1000 m2 | 29 589 (25.0) |
| 0.87–1.91 people/1000 m2 | 29 569 (25.0) |
| 1.92–2.98 people/1000 m2 | 29 581 (25.0) |
| 2.99–66.76 people/1000 m2 | 29 575 (25.0) |
| Unknown | 1 (< 0.1) |
| Housing density,a %, mean ±SD | |
| Crowding: occupied households with ≥ 1 person/room | 6.9 ±8.8 |
| Nonsingle family housing units | 22.6 ±25.2 |
| Housing structures with ≥ 10 units | 10.0 ±16.2 |
| Commuting characteristics,a %, mean ±SD | |
| Car/motorcycle | 89.0 ±8.3 |
| Public transportation | 3.0 ±5.2 |
| Walking or bicycle | 2.5 ±4.1 |
| Other means | 0.6 ±1.1 |
| Working at home | 4.9 ±3.8 |
| < 30 min | 62.7 ±14.3 |
| 30–44 min | 19.5 ±8.6 |
| 45–59 min | 8.1 ±5.4 |
| ≥ 60 min | 9.7 ±6.8 |
| Street connectivity,b mean ±SD | |
| γ: ratio of streets/possible intersections | 0.43 ±0.05 |
| α: ratio of loops/possible loops | 0.15 ±0.07 |
| Median area of street blocks, sq ft | 480 878 ±1 221 385 |
| Median length of street blocks, ft | 2843 ±1564 |
| No. of specific neighborhood amenities within 1600 m from address, mean ±SD | |
| Social capital | 5.2 ±9.2 |
| Beer, wine, and liquor stores | 2.5 ±3.3 |
| Recreation facilities | 3.9 ±4.0 |
| Retail stores | 14.7 ±18.0 |
| Gasoline stations | 2.5 ±2.5 |
| Convenience stores | 1.3 ±1.6 |
| Restaurants and eating places | 32.6 ±46.0 |
| Specialty food stores | 3.5 ±5.9 |
| Bars | 1.9 ±5.4 |
| Parking lots and garages | < 1 ±0.3 |
| Supermarkets and other grocery stores | 4.9 ±8.6 |
| Desirable amenitiesc | 9.1 ±12.2 |
| Undesirable amenitiesd | 6.3 ±6.1 |
| Total destinations | 73.1 ±95.2 |
Note. BMI = body mass index, defined as weight in kg divided by height in m2; SES = socioeconomic status. The sample size was n = 118 315.
Based on 2000 US Census block group data.
Based on 2000 US Census tract data.
Desirable amenities included social capital (museums, historical sites, and similar institutions; theaters; associations; performing arts; spectator sports) and recreation (golf courses and country clubs, skiing facilities, marinas, fitness and recreational sports centers, bowling centers, and other amusement and recreation industries).
Undesirable amenities included beer, wine, and liquor stores; gasoline stations; and convenience stores.