The built environment and risk of obesity in the United States: Racial-ethnic disparities

► Obesity disparities by race-ethnicity are remarkable and greater in women than in men. ► Neighborhood socioeconomic status is a negative contextual correlate of obesity risk. ► Neighborhood walkability and access to parks are negatively associated with obesity risk. ► Population density is positively linked to obesity risk for women but negatively for men. ► The built environment does not explain obesity disparities by race-ethnicity.