Socio-economic gradients in health behaviours and overweight among children in distinct economic settings.

Abstract

The socio-economic gradient in health does not seem to apply to overweight among Canadians adults. In the present study, we sought to determine the socio-economic gradient in overweight among Canadian children in distinct economic settings. We further examined socio-economic gradients in underlying behaviours, healthy eating and active living, as well as parental support for these behaviours. We surveyed 6430 grade five students and their parents in Alberta and Nova Scotia. Students completed dietary and activity questionnaires and had their height and weight measured. Parents completed questions on socio-economic background and their support for their child's health behaviours. We applied multi-level regression methods to characterize the socio-economic gradients. In both Alberta and Nova Scotia, we observed socio-economic gradients whereby children with parents who were more highly educated and had higher earnings were more physically active and less likely overweight. In contrast, we did not observe a socio-economic gradient with respect to healthy eating. Relative to socio-economically disadvantaged parents, those with better education and higher income were more likely to report encouraging their children's healthy eating and physical activity. Socio-economically disadvantaged parents, though, reported more engagement in physical activities with their children. Whereas the socio-economic gradient in overweight among Canadian adults is fading, we did not observe such a phenomenon among children. The mechanism preserving the socio-economic gradient among children may be related to more encouragement given to healthy eating and physical activity in the more socio-economically advanced families.