How housing and neighborhood changes affect residents' weight
The Impact of Improvements in Built and Social Environments and Housing on Obesity in Public Housing Residents: Evidence from a Natural Experiment
This project looks at whether rebuilding housing and improving neighborhood features help lower weight among adults living in public housing.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11298770 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers followed 888 adults who live in Jordan Downs and two nearby public housing sites in Watts, collecting height, weight, surveys, and other health measures before and after parts of the neighborhood were redeveloped. Because the redevelopment happened in phases, some residents experienced new housing, parks, shops, and transit sooner than others, allowing comparisons over time. The team links changes in the built and social environment to body mass index and reports about food access, physical activity, and barriers to healthy living. Findings aim to show which kinds of neighborhood improvements make it easier for residents like me to stay at a healthier weight.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults aged 21 and older living in Jordan Downs or the comparison public housing sites in Watts, Los Angeles, especially those with overweight or obesity, are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who do not live in the affected public housing areas, who are younger than 21, or whose neighborhoods are not changing are unlikely to directly benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to housing and neighborhood changes that help prevent or reduce obesity among public housing residents.
How similar studies have performed: Previous place-based and neighborhood-improvement projects have shown mixed results, with some links to small improvements in activity or weight but inconsistent findings overall, making this long-term natural experiment valuable.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Datar, Ashlesha — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Datar, Ashlesha
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.