Trends in educational inequalities in obesity in 15 European countries between 1990 and 2010

R De Gelder,K Hoffmann,Y Hu,Fj Van Lenthe,Jp Mackenbach

doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckw172.020

Abstract

Trends in educational inequalities in obesity in 15 European countries between 1990 and 2010

Highlights

The prevalence of obesity increased dramatically in many European countries in the past decades
At the same time countries witnessed a substantial increase in obesity, and current socioeconomic inequalities in obesity across Europe suggest that the increase was larger among lower socioeconomic groups [11]
The pooled estimates for all countries indicated an increase of 0.33% points in the prevalence of obesity per year [95% Confidence interval (CI) 0.26, 0.39]

Summary

Introduction

The prevalence of obesity increased dramatically in many European countries in the past decades. Socioeconomic inequalities in mortality and selfreported morbidity have been extensively documented in national and international studies [1,2,3,4,5,6,7]. For both of these outcomes, and either defined by educational or income level, rates are higher in the lower socioeconomic groups. Not static: a larger absolute decline in mortality rates in lower as compared to higher socioeconomic groups, has resulted. Elimination of socioeconomic inequalities in obesity might reduce inequalities in both mortality and morbidity substantially [12]; a widening of inequalities in obesity would buffer the impact of a decline of smoking attributable mortality on socioeconomic inequalities in mortality [13]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion