The mediating role of dietary factors and leisure time physical activity on socioeconomic inequalities in body mass index among Australian adults

BMC Public Health

Anna Peeters¹  Allison Hodge²  Kathryn Backholer¹  Emma Gearon¹ 

[1]Obesity and population health unit, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia

[2]Cancer Epidemiology Centre, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Australia

关键词: Epidemiologic methods;    Physical activity;    Diet;    Leisure activity;    Food and beverages;    Socioeconomic inequalities;    Socioeconomic factors;    Obesity;   

Others  :  1161410
DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2458-13-1214

 received in 2013-06-11, accepted in 2013-12-12,  发布年份 2013

【 摘 要 】

Background

The relationship between socioeconomic position and obesity has been clearly established, however, the extent to which specific behavioural factors mediate this relationship is less clear. This study aimed to ascertain the contribution of specific dietary elements and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) to variations in obesity with education in the baseline (1990–1994) Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study (MCCS).

Methods

18, 489 women and 12, 141 men were included in this cross-sectional analysis. A series of linear regression models were used in accordance with the products of coefficients method to examine the mediating role of alcohol, soft drink (regular and diet), snacks (healthy and sweet), savoury items (healthy and unhealthy), meeting fruit and vegetable guidelines and LTPA on the relationship between education and body mass index (BMI).

Results

Compared to those with lowest educational attainment, those with the highest educational attainment had a 1 kg/m² lower BMI. Among men and women, 27% and 48%, respectively, of this disparity was attributable to differences in LTPA and diet. Unhealthy savoury item consumption and LTPA contributed most to the mediated effects for men and women. Alcohol and diet soft drink were additionally important mediators for women.

Conclusions

Diet and LTPA are potentially modifiable behavioural risk factors for the development of obesity that contribute substantially to inequalities in BMI. Our findings highlight the importance of specific behaviours which may be useful to the implementation of effective, targeted public policy to reduce socioeconomic inequalities in obesity.

【 授权许可】

   
2013 Gearon et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

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