Socioeconomic Status and Obesity

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Social Determinants of Health

Background:

• Obesity is a major global health challenge with significant life-course complications.
• Social determinants, particularly socioeconomic status (SES), are critical factors influencing obesity.
• Existing research highlights a complex relationship between SES and obesity across different global contexts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize review articles and meta-analyses on the association between socioeconomic status and obesity.
• To examine the evolution of understanding the SES-obesity link over time.
• To identify mediators, moderators, and future intervention targets for obesity prevention.

Main Methods:

• Scoping mini-review of published literature from the 1980s to the present.
• Analysis of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies investigating the SES-obesity association.
• Inclusion of studies utilizing various anthropometric and modern body composition assessment technologies.

Main Results:

• A persistent socioeconomic gradient in obesity exists, with inverse associations in developed countries and positive associations in developing countries.
• Longitudinal studies indicate a bidirectional relationship between SES and obesity, suggesting both adversity preceding obesity and reverse causality.
• The SES-obesity gradient is robust across diverse body composition measures, including lean and fat mass.

Conclusions:

• The SES-obesity association is multifaceted, influenced by health behaviors, environment, psychology, and biology.
• Identifying mediators and moderators offers potential pathways for targeted obesity interventions.
• Addressing socioeconomic disparities is essential for reducing the global burden of obesity.