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Show 231 THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH The rate of obese and overweight individuals in the United States is at epidemic proportions. Previous research has found that neighborhood characteristics are correlated with health outcomes and obesity rates. My study focuses on aspects of the food environment and how it may influence obesity rates in four local communities in the Salt Lake Valley. These four small areas are Holladay, West Valley West, Rose Park, and the Avenues. These four communities were selected because they represent different educational and socio-demographic profiles, as well as different neighborhood types, including newer suburban versus older metropoli-tan neighborhoods. I used data from the Utah Department of Health small area report from 2001-2005, a report describing the socio-demographic profiles and health indicators of adults in small areas across Utah, to gather information concerning the obesity rates and nutrition practices of adults in the four study areas. In order to understand the food environment of each area, my study supplements this data with primary data collection within each neighbor-hood to describe food availability and quality. This includes visual inspection of each neigh-borhood's food environment, including such factors as the availability of grocery stores and the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables available in local grocery markets. I will compare and assess these results with the obesity rates and nutrition practices in each of these neigh-borhoods to understand the correlation between these specific neighborhood characteristics and obesity. The results of this case study data will be compared to the reviewed literature and discussion of further research will be made. NEIGHBORHOOD CHARACTERISTICS AND OBESITY: A FOCUS ON THE FOOD ENVIRONMENT Stephanie Baker (Rebecca Utz) Department of Health, Society and Policy University of Utah honors college Stephanie Baker Rebecca Utz |