The intergenerational effects of socioeconomic inequality on unhealthy bodyweight

Abstract

We study the effects of inherited socioeconomic characteristics on markers of unhealthy bodyweight. Taking Australian microdata from 2007 to 2013, we show that approximately 4% of the variation in outcomes is determined by factors beyond an individual's control, such as their race, gender, and social class. Paternal socioeconomic status is the primary explanatory factor, with those born to more affluent fathers slightly less likely to be overweight in adulthood. Decompositions reveal that only 20%–25% of this effect is attributable to advantaged families exhibiting better health behaviors, which implies that unobserved factors also play an important role. Since diseases associated with unhealthy weight place a major strain on public healthcare systems, our results have implications for the provision of treatment when resources are constrained.

Lifestyle and socioeconomic determinants of diabetes: Evidence from country-level data

“…Another commonly cited correlate of diabetes is body mass index (BMI) which is defined as the ratio of weight (kg) divided by the square of height (m 2 ). Several studies which have assessed the relationship between socioeconomic factors and diabetes have consistently found BMI to independently explain between 32% and 45% of this association [ 29 , 33 , 34 ]. This is expected with the underlying pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes which has been linked to overnutrition, but it may also be explained by lower levels of access to facilitators of physical activity such as gyms, community parks, and recreational facilities [ 35 ].…”

“…Existing research indicates that the association between BMI and diabetes has been found to diminish substantially as BMI decreases towards a normal range (18.5–24.9 kg/m 2 ). For this reason, some previous studies have defined a novel measure for overweight which includes all BMI levels greater or equal to the upper (25 kg/m 2 ) bounds of the healthy BMI level for the purpose of analysis [ 34 ]. However, this figure has been the subject of some debate since lower BMI levels have been found to have better sensitivity and specificity for metabolic risk factors in certain populations [ 38 ].…”

Socioeconomic inequalities in intergenerational overweight and obesity transmission from mothers to offsprings in South Africa

“…The variable selection was based on the model shown in Fig. 1 , adapted from the WHO Regional Office for Europe ( World Health Organization, 2007 ), data availability in the NIDS dataset and previous studies (e.g., Balasooriya et al, 2021 ). As shown in Fig.…”

“…Despite evidence from South Africa and elsewhere on the intergenerational transmission of obesity ( Anderson et al, 2007 ; Brown & Roberts, 2013 ; Classen & Hokayem, 2005 ; Classen, 2010 ; Classen & Thompson, 2016 ; Dolton & Xiao, 2015 , 2017 ; Martin, 2008 ; Whitaker, 2004 ), few studies have examined the relationship between socioeconomic status and overweight/obesity across generations ( Balasooriya et al, 2021 ; Zhang et al, 2011 ). Using the intergenerational mobility index based on the concentration index, a United States study by Zhang et al (2011) measured the changes in socioeconomic inequality in obesity across generations and performed a decomposition analysis of the intergenerational mobility index to identify the factors that contribute to changing socioeconomic disparity in obesity.…”

“…They found demographic factors such as age, marital status, employment status, and living area to explain 4% of the inequality for BMI and overweight. Other circumstances like parental socioeconomic status accounted for between 20% and 25% of BMI and overweight inequalities ( Balasooriya et al, 2021 ).…”