Abstract
The aim of this paper is to better understand one of the mechanisms underlying the income–obesity relationship so that effective policy interventions can be developed. Our approach involves analysing data on approximately 9000 overweight British adults from between 1997 and 2002. We estimate the effect of income on the probability that an overweight individual correctly recognises their overweight status and the effect of income on the probability that an overweight individual attempts to lose weight. The results suggest that high income individuals are more likely to recognise their unhealthy weight status, and conditional on this correct weight perception, more likely to attempt weight loss. For example, it is estimated that overweight high income males are 15 percentage-points more likely to recognise their overweight status than overweight low income males, and overweight high income males are 10 percentage-points more likely to be trying to lose weight. An implication of these results is that more public education on what constitutes overweight and the dangers associated with being overweight is needed, especially in low income neighbourhoods.
Highlights
Introduction and backgroundBeing overweight or obese is known to be bad for your health, yet the prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide (Lobstein and Jackson Leach, 2007)
We investigate the obesity-income gradient by estimating the impact of income on weight perception and weight control in a sample of overweight British adults
The reported standard errors are clustered at the household level are reported to allow for correlation between weight perceptions and weight control of individuals living in the same household
Summary
Introduction and backgroundBeing overweight or obese is known to be bad for your health, yet the prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide (Lobstein and Jackson Leach, 2007). In Canada, U.S, France and Australia, 23% (Linder et al, 2010), 33% (Dorsey et al, 2009), 17% (International Obesity Task Force, 2011) and 25% (International Obesity Task Force, 2011) of the population are classified as obese (BMI of 30 kilograms per squared metre or greater ‘‘for obese (inclusive of 30)), respectively. While obesity rates are similar for males and females, there is a divergence between genders with In Canada 42.8% of males and 23.7% of females are overweight (body mass index (BMI) of 25 kilograms per squared metre or greater’’ (inclusive of 25)) or obese. The equivalent figures for the U.S, France and Australia are 40.1% and 28.6%, 41.0% and 23.8%, and 42.1% and 30.9%, respectively (International Obesity Task Force, 2011)
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