Association between socioeconomic status and obesity among 12-year-old Malaysian adolescents

Abstract

The epidemic of obesity in developed countries is commonly associated with poor dietary habit and sedentary lifestyle. However, other determinants, including education background and family income, may contribute towards the problem especially in developing countries. This study aimed to determine the influence of socioeconomic status (SES) on obesity among 12-year-old school adolescents in Terengganu, Malaysia. Body weight and height were measured and BMI was categorised based on WHO z-score cut-off points. Information was obtained from self-reported questionnaire on parents’ education background, family income and occupation. A total of 3,798 school adolescents aged 12 years (44% boys and 56% girls) were recruited. There was no significant difference in BMI status between boys and girls, or between rural and urban participants. There were significant differences between BMI categories and gender, household income and SES level within rural areas. In the urban areas, significant differences were found between BMI categories and gender, parents’ occupational and educational level, household income and size, and SES level. A logistic regression model found several SES factors to be predictors of obesity in this population, namely, gender, household size, father’s occupation level, household income level and SES level. Each component of SES has been significantly associated with the BMI category of school adolescents, particularly in the urban areas. This suggests the requirement of multifaceted approaches, including the role of family, society and authorities, in the effort to curtail adolescent obesity.

The Effect of Tourism Towards the Food Security Issues to the Urban Poor in Sarawak, Malaysia: A Conceptual Approach

“…A study by Hui Tee, Gan, Tan, & Chin (2018) indicated that in the household whereby the maternal and paternal are both working to sustain the household expenses would not be particularly concern with the supply of nutritious food. Furthermore, the study by Hui Tee et al (2018) also the education level of maternal does have a contributing effect on the quality of food consumptions however paternal are only concern with the family bonding and being main breadwinner of the family which is supported by a study by (Ahmad, Zulaily, Shahril & Abdullah, 2018). In the study by (Ahmad, Zulaily, Shahril & Abdullah, 2018) also indicated that higher household income and smaller household sizes has direct effect with the socio economic status of the household with the possession of higher purchasing power and food affordability.…”

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Porcentaje de grasa corporal en adolescentes asociado con conductas alimentarias de riesgo, hogar y sexo

“…Con respecto al nivel socioeconómico, se observa asociación sólo en los hombres, en quienes a mayor nivel socioeconómico mayor es el incremento del porcentaje de grasa corporal. Estos resultados coinciden con Ahmad A y colaboradores (2018), 35 sin embargo, el presente estudio no muestra asociación con respecto a las mujeres.…”

The GReat-Child TrialTM: A Quasi-Experimental Dietary Intervention among Overweight and Obese Children

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