Life-course socioeconomic status and obesity: scoping review

The life-course approach is believed to enhance our understanding of the intricate links between life-course socioeconomic status and obesity. In this scoping review, we delve into the literature that examines the links between life-course socioeconomic status and obesity and aim to characterize the life-course approach that was used.

Our search strategy was based on the PRISMA checklist and was performed using three databases: Medline (PubMed), GeoBase (Embase), and Web of Science. We focused on studies that identify life-course socioeconomic and built environment indicators and associate them with body weight status indicators.

Using stringent inclusion criteria, we identified 52 relevant studies. Our analysis identified three main methodological strategies for studying the influence of life-course socioeconomic status on obesity. The main methodological approaches identified that characterize life-course approach are: 1) sensitive periods, 2) social mobility, or 3) risk accumulation. We found that low socioeconomic status in childhood, adulthood, or late adulthood; a disadvantaged socioeconomic trajectory; and cumulative exposure to socioeconomic disadvantages throughout the life-course increased the risk of obesity. Notably, the association between life-course socioeconomic status and obesity was significantly stronger for women in 56% of the studies.

The social inequalities in obesity observed today are the outcome of socioeconomic inequalities accumulated over the life course. 56% of studies show that the influence of life-course socioeconomic status on socioeconomic inequalities in obesity is even stronger in women. Policymakers should prioritize specific interventions aimed at reducing socioeconomic disparities in obesity, particularly among women.