Application of Baidu map API for the study on obesogenic food environment among middle school students

Objective To explore the association between the food environment around school and the obesity rates among middle school students with Baidu map application program interface (API), and provide new ideas for the study on adolescent obesity.Methods Relying on Guangzhou Health Care Promotion Center for Primary and Middle Schools, 30 middle schools students' height and weight were measured.The number of fast food restaurants and convenience stores around the schools were searched by Baidu map API, to analyze their association with the rates of obesity among middle school students.Results Among the 15 231 students, the rate of obesity was 5.58%, 7.46% among boys and 3.70% among girls.The median numbers (IQR) of fast food restaurants within walking path distances of 1 000 m, 1 200 m and 1 500 m among 30 middle schools were 35.5 (20-78), 54.5 (28-105) and 92 (57-161), respectively; and 29 (14-48), 41 (23-63), 69.5 (42-94) for convenience stores.The rates of obesity among girls were positively correlated with the number of fast food restaurants and convenience stores around their schools (fast food restaurants: r = 0.372, 0.434, P<0.05; convenience stores: r = 0.369, 0.450, 0.415, P<0.05).There were no significant associations between the rates of obesity among boys and the number of fast food restaurants and convenience stores around their schools.Conclusions Obesity is associated with the number of fast food restaurants and convenience stores around school among female students in middle schools.Baidu map API can provide geographical information support for obesity research in middle school students.