Translating caregiver-identified neighborhood features into quantitative variables for statistical analyses of effects on child health.

Authors

• Félice Lê-Scherban
• Jayla Norman
• Victoria Ryan
• Maggie Beverly
• Natalie M Rodrigues
• Matthew Jannetti
• Kelly A Courts
• Zachary Fusfeld
• Amy Carroll-Scott
• Stephanie L Mayne
• Hans Kersten MD, Department of Pediatrics, St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PAFollow
• Jana A Hirsch
• Steven Melly

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-13-2026

Abstract

PURPOSE: Neighborhoods are hypothesized to affect weight-related outcomes in part through their influence on household food choices, but quantitative study findings have been mixed. This may reflect mismatch between variables analyzed and residents' experiences. Our objective was to identify quantitative variables corresponding to neighborhood features caregivers of young children find important for families' food choices.

METHODS: In 9 focus groups in English and Spanish among low-income caregivers (n = 51) of young children aged <  5 years in Philadelphia, PA, participants identified features relevant for their families' food choices. An iterative, qualitative approach incorporating community member input was used to translate caregiver-identified features into quantitative, area-level variables for linkage with pediatric patient addresses.

RESULTS: Caregivers identified 17 features related to food retail (8 features; e.g., healthy food availability, cost), logistical concerns (4 features; e.g., transportation), social environment (3 features; e.g., safety), and structural factors (2 features; gentrification, economic disinvestment). Highly aligned quantitative variables were identified for 5 features; medium/low for 7; and no aligning variables for 5. Variable sources included commercial and public databases, and prior population-based surveys.

CONCLUSIONS: Incorporating qualitative approaches, including explicitly assessing alignment of quantitative analyses with residents' experiences, may help improve conceptual clarity and usefulness of epidemiological neighborhoods research.

Publication Title

Annals of epidemiology

Volume

121

First Page

110149

Last Page

110149

Comments

Online ahead of print.

Recommended Citation

Lê-Scherban, F., Norman, J., Ryan, V., Beverly, M., Rodrigues, N., Jannetti, M., Courts, K., Fusfeld, Z., Carroll-Scott, A., Mayne, S., Kersten, H., Hirsch, J., & Melly, S. (2026). Translating caregiver-identified neighborhood features into quantitative variables for statistical analyses of effects on child health.. Annals of epidemiology, 121, 110149-110149. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annepidem.2026.110149