Social disparities in body mass index (BMI) trajectories among Chinese adults in 1991–2011

International Journal for Equity in Health

Research

Ying Liang¹  Changchun Fang¹ 

[1] School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Qixia District, 210023, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China;

关键词: Body mass index trajectories;    Obesity and overweight;    Chinese adults;    Socio-economic status;    China health and nutrition survey;    Hierarchical linear model;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12939-017-0636-5

 received in 2017-02-09, accepted in 2017-07-24,  发布年份 2017

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundObesity is a serious public health problem in China. The relationship between obesity and socio-economic status (SES) is changing and affected by uncertainty, particularly, in developing countries. The sex-related differences in body mass index (BMI) trajectories are controversial and require substantial empirical data for updating and enriching.MethodsThis study examined the relationship between SES and BMI in Chinese adults from a dynamic perspective using longitudinal data (1991–2011) from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). Then, sex-related differences were determined. A hierarchical linear model was used.ResultsSES positively affected the male BMI changes, with faster BMI growth rates in the high-SES males over the past 20 years. By contrast, female BMI was only affected by BMI baseline and residential area. Specifically, greater BMI baseline led to greater BMI growth rate and earlier BMI decline. In the past 20 years, the BMI growth rate has been greater in the urban females than in the rural females.ConclusionsThe relationship between SES and obesity is complex in China, and a substantial sex-related difference exists. We argue that this large sex-related difference is due to the rapid economic and social changes that have affected national health and increased the gender inequality and social role restrictions in females. We provide insights for further research and policy recommendations.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2017

【 图 表 】

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