Abstract
This study examined associations between neighborhood disadvantage and body mass index (BMI), and tested whether this differed by level of individual socioeconomic position (SEP). Data were from 9953 residents living in 200 neighborhoods in Brisbane, Australia in 2007. Multilevel linear regression analyses were undertaken by gender to determine associations between neighborhood disadvantage, individual SEP (education, occupation and household income) and BMI (from self-reported height and weight); with cross-level interactions testing whether the relationship between neighborhood disadvantage and BMI differed by level of individual SEP. Both men (Quintile 4, where Quintile 5 is the most disadvantaged β = 0.66 95%CI 0.20, 1.12) and women (Quintile 5 β = 1.32 95%CI 0.76, 1.87) from more disadvantaged neighborhoods had a higher BMI. BMI was significantly higher for those with lower educational attainment (men β = 0.71 95%CI 0.36, 1.07 and women β = 1.66 95%CI 0.78, 1.54), and significantly lower for those in blue collar occupations (men β = −0.67 95%CI −1.09, −0.25 and women β = −0.71 95%CI −1.40, −0.01). Among men, those with a lower income had a significantly lower BMI, while the opposite was found among women. None of the interaction models had a significantly better fit than the random intercept models. The relationship between neighborhood disadvantage and BMI did not differ by level of education, occupation, or household income. This suggests that individual SEP is unlikely to be an effector modifier of the relationship between neighborhood disadvantage and BMI. Further research is required to assist policy-makers to make more informed decisions about where to intervene to counteract BMI-inequalities.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 100844 |
Journal | Preventive Medicine Reports |
Volume | 14 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jun 2019 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The HABITAT study is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) (ID 497236 , 339718 , 1047453 ). JNR was supported by the NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Healthy, Liveable and Equitable Communities (ID 1061404 ) at the time this research was undertaken.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 The Authors
Funding
The HABITAT study is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) (ID 497236 , 339718 , 1047453 ). JNR was supported by the NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Healthy, Liveable and Equitable Communities (ID 1061404 ) at the time this research was undertaken.
Keywords
- Health inequalities
- Multilevel modelling
- Residence characteristics
- Social class
- Socioeconomic background