Abstract
OBJECTIVESWhile the prevalence of obesity in Asian women has remained stagnant, studies of socioeconomic inequalities in obesity among Asian women are scarce. This study aimed to examine the recent prevalence of obesity in Korean women aged between 19 years and 79 years and to analyze socioeconomic inequalities in obesity.METHODSData were derived from the 2016 Korean Study of Women’s Health-Related Issues. The chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the associations between socioeconomic factors and obesity using Asian standard body mass index (BMI) categories: low (<18.5 kg/m2 ), normal (18.5-22.9 kg/m2 ), overweight (23.0-24.9 kg/m2 ), and obese (≥25.0 kg/ m2 ). As inequality-specific indicators, the slope index of inequality (SII) and relative index of inequality (RII) were calculated, with adjustment for age and self-reported health status.RESULTSKorean women were classified into the following BMI categories: underweight (5.3%), normal weight (59.1%), overweight (21.2%), and obese (14.4%). The SII and RII revealed substantial inequalities in obesity in favor of more urbanized women (SII, 4.5; RII, 1.4) and against of women who were highly educated (SII, -16.7; RII, 0.3). Subgroup analysis revealed inequalities in obesity according to household income among younger women and according to urbanization among women aged 65-79 years.CONCLUSIONSClear educational inequalities in obesity existed in Korean women. Reverse inequalities in urbanization were also apparent in older women. Developing strategies to address the multiple observed inequalities in obesity among Korean women may prove essential for effectively reducing the burden of this disease.
Highlights
Obesity, which is increasing in prevalence worldwide, is a physical condition characterized by the accumulation of excessive body fat, along with many other health impairments
Women aged between 65 years and 79 years comprised the highest proportion of overweight and obese women, followed by women aged between 45 years and 64 years
We presented up-to-date findings on the prevalence of obesity among the general population of women in Korea
Summary
Obesity, which is increasing in prevalence worldwide, is a physical condition characterized by the accumulation of excessive body fat, along with many other health impairments. Disparities in obesity prevalence have been found to vary according to parameters reflecting differences in socioeconomic status, such as urbanization, education, and income levels. Women residing in urbanized areas and living in socioeconomically-deprived conditions have been reported to show faster increases in the prevalence of obesity and overweight [9,10,11,12,13]. In North America and European countries, inequalities related to obesity have generally been well documented; obesity has been found to be disproportionately more prevalent among individuals with lower levels of education and income, residents of less urbanized areas, and those lacking access to healthcare [10,15]. In light of the results of a prior study that socioeconomic factors affect obesity status in ways that vary by country, it is important to consider how these socioeconomic factors affect obesity to develop health promotion programs
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