Two-year follow-up cohort study focused on gender-specific associations between socioeconomic status and body weight changes in overweight and obese middle-aged and older adults.

OBJECTIVE

As overall spread of obesity in populations is generally acknowledged to result from unhealthy lifestyles rather than individual genetic makeup, this study aimed to gain specific insights into its determinants through assessing the prevalent associations between individual socioeconomic status (SES) and weight loss in overweight and obese men and women.

METHODS

A prospective, 2-year follow-up study covered 3362 (38.0% men) respondents, aged 43-64 years, body mass index ≥25 kg/m. Changes in body weight were estimated as a percentage of initial weight. Three categories of changes were defined: gained ≥3%, stable (gained <3% or lost <3%), lost ≥3%. Body weight loss was determined against three categories: lost ≥3 to <5%, lost ≥5 to <10%, lost ≥10%. Select SES variables (ie, gender, age, education, marital status, occupational activity and income) were determined in line with the Health Status Questionnaire. The associations between SES and body weight changes were analysed with the aid of logistic regression models. The results were presented as ORs with 95% CIs.

RESULTS

Only 18% of the respondents had complied with the medical recommendations on weight loss. Significant differences were encountered between the gender, age and occupational activity variables and the weight loss one. Multifactorial models were used to determine the following gender-specific associations between SES and weight loss. Men with moderate income had significantly higher odds for weight loss (≈75%), as compared with the higher earners, whereas women with low income, occupationally inactive, had significantly higher odds (≈30% and ≈50%, respectively), as compared with the high earners and occupationally active ones.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower education, male gender, lower income per household, older age and unemployment status were the established factors predisposing to obesity. While aiming to ensure effectiveness of the measures specifically aimed at preventing obesity, population groups deemed most at risk of potential weight gain must prior be identified.