Abstract
BackgroundObesity has emerged as a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases in low and middle-income countries but may not follow typical socioeconomic status (SES)-related gradients seen in higher income countries. This study examines the associations between current and lifetime markers of SES and BMI categories (underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese) and central adiposity in Ghanaian adults.MethodsData from 4,464 adults (2,610 women) who participated in the World Health Organization’s Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) Wave 2 were examined. Multilevel multinomial and binomial logistic regression models were used to examine associations. SES markers included parental education, individual education, intergenerational educational mobility and household wealth. Intergenerational educational mobility was classified: stable-low (low parental and low individual education), stable-high (high parental and high individual education), upwardly (low parental and high individual education), or downwardly mobile (high parental and low individual education).ResultsThe prevalence of obesity (12.9%) exceeded the prevalence of underweight (7.2%) in the population. High parental and individual education were significantly associated with higher odds of obesity and central adiposity in women. Compared to the stable low pattern, stable high (obesity: OR = 3.15; 95% CI: 1.96, 5.05; central adiposity: OR = 1.75; 95% CI: 1.03, 2.98) and upwardly (obesity: OR = 1.71; 95% CI: 11.13, 2.60; central adiposity: OR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.08, 2.37) mobile education patterns were associated with higher odds of obesity and central adiposity in women, while stable high pattern was associated with higher odds of overweight (OR = 1.88; 95% CI: 1.11, 3.19) in men. Additionally, high compared to the lowest household wealth was associated with high odds of obesity and central adiposity in both sexes.ConclusionStable high and upwardly mobile education patterns are associated with higher odds of obesity and central adiposity in women while the stable high pattern was associated with higher odds of overweight in men.
Highlights
Overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions in most regions of the world, including sub-Saharan Africa [1, 2]
The codes for the measured weight, height and waist circumference used to calculate body mass index (BMI) and central adiposity, the outcome variables as used in the data are q2506 for weight, q2507 for height and q2508 for waist circumference
Stable high and upwardly mobile education patterns are associated with higher odds of obesity and central adiposity in women while the stable high pattern was associated with higher odds of overweight in men
Summary
Overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions in most regions of the world, including sub-Saharan Africa [1, 2]. With increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in low and middle-income countries (LMICs), the World Health Organization (WHO) has indicated that a double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases in the near future in LMICs is imminent [3]. Some SES markers include education, intergenerational education mobility and income/wealth [6, 8, 9]. Intergenerational educational mobility is largely defined as the change in the level of education between parent (s) and their children and describes individuals’ experiences in relation to an achieved position compared to their parents [8, 10]. Obesity has emerged as a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases in low and middle-income countries but may not follow typical socioeconomic status (SES)-related gradients seen in higher income countries. This study examines the associations between current and lifetime markers of SES and BMI categories (underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese) and central adiposity in Ghanaian adults
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
