Inequalities In Obesity Research Articles

Exploring UK adult and policy stakeholder perspectives on obesity prevention policy and inequalities

Abstract In England, 14 obesity strategies have been published, including 689 proposed policies, while rates of obesity persist, and inequalities worsen. This study explores adults’ attitudes in relation to food-related obesity policy and how socioeconomic inequalities in obesity are considered throughout the policy process through the perspective of policy stakeholders (PSH). 31 semi-structured interviews with UK-based adults (GPP) (18+) and 14 interviews with PSH categorised as government officials, academics, and advocacy group representatives were conducted and analysed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis. Both PSH and GPP attributed obesity causation primarily to the food environment rather than to individual behaviour. The PSH identified the food industry’s role in shaping the environment. Level of deprivation was believed to exacerbate the barriers to healthy weight in both samples. All participants agreed that, in the UK, there was an unequal opportunity to attain a healthy diet. A disconnect was found between the GPP perspectives towards the barriers to healthy weight and their attitudes towards policy action. The GPP described mistrust in the government’s motives and willingness, fuelling the perspective that policy lacked impact and was disconnected from their lived experiences, particularly among participants of lower socioeconomic status and higher weight classifications. The PSH raised concerns regarding barriers to policy implementation, including inconsistent government commitment, competing priorities, and resistance to state intervention. PSH suggested that it was unfeasible to prioritise inequalities while population rates remain high, and the failure of implement proposed policies continue. This study shows the necessity of incorporating a health equity lens, breaking down policy silos, and amplifying community voices in the policy process to challenge assumptions regarding lived experiences and ensure healthier equitable policy outcomes. Key messages • The study shows the importance of integrating a health equity lens, breaking policy silos, and amplifying community voices to challenge assumptions and achieve more equitable policy outcomes. • Obesity policy requires greater consideration to inequalities to strengthen policy impact as demonstrated by all participants recalling the unequal opportunity to sustain a healthy weight in the UK.

Planning policies to restrict fast food and inequalities in child weight in England: a quasi-experimental analysis.

England has one of the highest childhood obesity rates in Europe. To promote a healthier food environment in 2015, Gateshead Council in North East England introduced planning guidelines effectively banning any new fast-food outlets. Our aim was to investigate whether this policy led to any reductions in childhood overweight and obesity prevalence and the inequalities in these outcomes. We used data from the National Child Measurement Programme, the Food Standards Agency Food Hygiene Rating Scheme data, and the Office of National Statistics between 2012 and 2020. We estimated a difference-in-differences model employing propensity score matching to identify a control group. We found no significant change in population-level childhood overweight and obesity in Gateshead compared with control areas. In subgroup analysis by area-level deprivation, we found that the quintile of deprivation with the highest proportion of fast-food outlets had a statistically significant reduction of 4.8% in the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity compared with control areas. Restricting fast-food outlets in areas with a high concentration of such outlets as part of a package of policies to reduce childhood obesity may help to reduce prevalence and inequalities in childhood overweight and obesity.

Socioeconomic inequalities in severe childhood obesity: findings from a tier-3 paediatric weight management service

Socioeconomic inequalities in severe childhood obesity: findings from a tier-3 paediatric weight management service

Effects of an Intervention on Black Family Incomes on Self-Rated Health and Obesity in Black and White Adolescents and Young Adults.

Structural racism contributes to health disparities between U.S. non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic white populations by differentially distributing resources used to maintain health. Policies that equitably redistribute resources may mitigate racialized health disparities. Using National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health data and time-to-event parametric g-formula methods, we investigate a hypothetical intervention to reduce Black-white family income inequities on racialized differences in self-rated health (N=11,312) and obesity (N=10,547). We first intervene to increase individual Black family incomes by $11,000, creating Black-white equity in median incomes in 1995. Then, we measure social multiplier effects by additionally increasing county-level Black median household incomes by $11,000. By Wave 4, individual, direct effects models comparing Black intervention to Black control groups show no risk differences in self-rated health (RD=-0.009; 95% CI: -0.026, 0.008) or obesity (RD=0.003; 95% CI: -0.017, 0.023). Social multiplier effects models suggestively reduce Black-white inequalities in obesity by increasing obesity in white intervention versus white control groups (RD=0.050=; 95% CI: -0.011, 0.110), but exacerbate Black-white disparities in self-rated health by reducing self-rated health in Black intervention versus white control groups (RD=0.184; 95% CI: 0.018, 0.351). In this cohort, income transfers may not reduce racialized disparities in obesity and self-rated health.

Twelve–year (2008–2019) trends in socioeconomic inequalities in cardiovascular risk factors in a Swiss representative survey of the general population

ObjectiveWe assessed trends in socioeconomic inequalities in cardiovascular risk factors prevalence among Swiss adults from 2008 to 2019. MethodsUsing data from the Bus Santé study, an annual survey of adults living in Geneva, Switzerland, we calculated the prevalence per period and by demographic and socioeconomic indicators, assessing inequality trends using the relative index of inequality (RII) and the slope index of inequality (SII). ResultsAmong 10,739 participants, most CVD risk factors decreased over time, while diabetes, obesity, and smoking prevalence remained steady. In 2017–2019, prevalence of most CVD risk factors was higher in socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. Relative and absolute inequalities decreased over time, but mostly remained, for hypertension [in 2017–2019, education-RII (95 % CI) = 1.27 (1.12–1.46), income-RII = 1.27 (1.10–1.47)], hypercholesterolemia [education-RII = 1.15 (1.00–1.32)], and sedentarity [education-RII = 1.95 (1.52–2.51), income-RII = 1.69 (1.28–2.23)], and appeared to have reversed for hazardous alcohol use [income-RII = 0.75 (0.60–0.93)]. Substantial and persistent relative and absolute inequalities in diabetes prevalence were observed [education-RII = 2.39 (1.75–3.27), income-RII = 3.18 (2.25–4.48), and subsidy-RII = 2.77 (1.89–4.05)]. Inequalities were also marked across all socioeconomic indicators for obesity prevalence [education-RII = 3.32 (2.63–4.19), income–RII = 2.37 (1.85–3.04), subsidy-RII = 1.98 (1.48–2.66)] and for smoking [education-RII = 2.42 (2.06–2.84), income-RII = 2.37 (1.99–2.84), subsidy-RII = 1.91 (1.56–2.35)]. ConclusionsOver 12 years in Geneva, Switzerland, socioeconomic inequalities in hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hazardous alcohol use, and sedentarity decreased but persist, while substantial inequalities in diabetes, obesity, and smoking remained unchanged.

Weight management practices, views, and experiences of adults living with poor socioeconomic circumstances and obesity: a qualitative systematic review protocol.

The objective of this review is to synthesize the best available qualitative evidence on the weight management practices, views, and experiences of adults living with poor socioeconomic circumstances and obesity. Additionally, the review aims to deepen our understanding of the common narratives of obesity according to these people. People living with poor socioeconomic circumstances are at increased risk of obesity, particularly in high-income countries, and their weight management practices (eg, weight-related behaviors) tend to be less healthy. Since prior research on socioeconomic inequalities in obesity is mostly from quantitative studies, the individual views and experiences related to weight management have been largely ignored. Thus, systematic qualitative evidence is needed on the weight management practices, views, and experiences of adults living with poor socioeconomic circumstances and obesity. Qualitative studies examining adults (aged 18 to 74 years) living with poor socioeconomic circumstances and obesity, and conducted in high- and upper-middle-income countries will be considered. The phenomenon of interest is these people's weight management practices, views, and experiences. Searches will be conducted in MEDLINE (Ovid), APA PsycINFO (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCOhost), Scopus, Web of Science, and the Finnish health sciences database, MEDIC, restricted to the English and Finnish languages. Sources of unpublished studies and gray literature will include Google Scholar and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. Two independent reviewers will screen the papers, assess methodological quality, and extract data following JBI's procedures. The meta-aggregative approach will be used for data synthesis. Confidence in the findings will be assessed using the ConQual approach. PROSPERO CRD42023407938.

The moderating effects of greenspace on the association between neighbourhood disadvantage and obesity among mid-to-older aged Australian adults

This study examined whether the association between neighbourhood disadvantage and obesity was moderated by quantity and quality of greenspace. The sample included 2848 mid-to-older aged adults residing in 200 neighbourhoods in Brisbane, Australia from the HABITAT study. Self-reported height and weight were used to calculate body mass index (BMI), neighbourhood disadvantage was measured using a census-derived composite index and greenspace was measured geospatially. We found evidence of moderation by park quality: lower average BMI at higher levels of park quality was shown in the Q3 rather than the Q1 (least disadvantaged) neighbourhood disadvantage group. The findings suggest that, for reducing socioeconomic inequalities in obesity, the quality of greenspace is imperative.

Widening Educational Inequalities in Physical Health Due to the Obesity Trend?-A Mediation Analysis Using the German Socio-Economic Panel Study.

This study examined the contribution of obesity to the development of educational inequalities in physical health. We used data from the German Socio-Economic Panel for the period 2002-2020. Physical health was measured with the modified SF12-questionnaire. Logistic regression analyses were applied to estimate time trends. The Relative Index of Inequality (RII) and the Slope Index of Inequality (SII) were calculated to examine educational inequalities. The role of obesity as a mediator was analyzed using the Karlson-Holm-Breen (KHB) method. Over time, educational inequalities in obesity as well as impaired physical health widened in men and women, particularly among those aged 30-49years. For individuals with a low level of education at this age, the probability of impaired physical health increased significantly by 7.7%-points in women and 9.4%-points in men. Of this increase, 25.9% for women and 14.8% for men could be attributed to the increase in obesity. Our findings suggest that the steeper rise in obesity among individuals with a low level of education partly explains the observed widening in educational inequalities in physical health.

Temporal trends and educational inequalities in obesity, overweight and underweight in pre-pregnant women and their male partners: a decade (2010-2019) with no progress in Sweden.

Trends in overweight and obesity among expectant parents can provide useful information about the family environment in which children will grow up and about possible social inequalities that may be passed on to them. Therefore, we aimed to assess whether the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity changed over time in pre-pregnant women and their male partners in northern Sweden, and if there were any educational inequalities. This study is based on cross-sectional data from a repeated survey of the population in Västerbotten, Sweden. The study population included 18,568 pregnant women and 18,110 male partners during the period 2010-2019. Multinomial logistic regression models were fitted separately for pregnant women and male partners to assess whether the prevalence of age-adjusted underweight, normal weight, overweight and obesity had evolved between 2010 and 2019, and whether trends differed by educational level. Among women, obesity prevalence increased from 9.4% in 2010 to 11.7% in 2019. Among men, it went from 8.9 to 12.8%. Educational inequalities were sustained across the study period. In 2019, the prevalence of obesity was 7.8 percentage points (pp) (CI = 4.4-11.3) higher among women with low compared to high education. The corresponding figure for men was 6.4 pp (CI = 3.3-9.6). It is not obvious that the prevalence of obesity among parents-to-be will decrease under current dispositions. Public health policies and practice should therefore be strengthened.

Abstract 04: Intersectional Inequities in Obesity Among Multiracial Adults by Urbanicity: A Random Effects MAIHDA Analysis

Based on 2020 Census Bureau data, the percentage of people who reported multiple races changed more than all of the race alone groups, increasing from 2.9% of the population (9 million people) in 2010 to 10.2% of the population (33.8 million) in 2020. Yet, the majority of national health surveys aggregate all individuals who identify with multiple races into one heterogeneous group. We hypothesize this aggregation masks important differences in terms of health. Beyond the aggregation, there are multiple dimensions of race/ethnicity including racial self-identification (the race(s) one identifies with), racial category (the census category one selects), Hispanic ethnicity, and others that do not ideally overlap among multiracial adults. For multiracial adults, it is unknown how these multiple contexts of race and ethnicity intersect with one another. We evaluated the intersection of racial self-identification, racial category, and Hispanic ethnicity on body mass index (BMI) among multiracial adults as a second-level social identity strata. We then examined if these intersectional inequities in BMI were differently patterned in urban, suburban, and rural areas. We used multilevel analysis of individual heterogeneity and discriminatory accuracy (MAIHDA) among multiracial adults in the US (n=42,632) with a three-year (2010-2012) pooled sample of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). We observed intersectional effects on BMI inequities. Most of the effects of social identity on BMI were explained by the combination of racial self-identification, racial category, and Hispanic ethnicity among multiracial adults (85.3%). Those living in a rural area had considerably higher BMIs than those living in an urban or suburban area. This is especially true for individuals with racial self-identification of White-Black, White-Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (NHPI), Black-American Indian/Alaska Native (AIAN), Asian-NHPI, and White-Black-AIAN and those who chose the racial category of NHPI. For example, individuals who self-identified as White-Black had an average BMI 4.5 kg/m 2 (p<0.01) higher in rural areas compared to White-Blacks living in urban areas. The magnitude of this BMI gap across urban-rural environments varied considerably across social identity strata ranging from 35.3 kg/m 2 among Non-Hispanic White-Black-AIAN with no preference for one race to 22.5 kg/m 2 among Non-Hispanic White-Asian with no preference for one race. This study highlights aspects of the social construction of race and patterning across the urban-rural divide in evaluation of BMI/obesity. This study brings to light inequities within people who identify as multiracial and highlights sub-populations to focus future policy and intervention research on.

The Contribution of the Underlying Factors to Socioeconomic Inequalities in Obesity: A Life Course Perspective.

Objectives: Socioeconomic disparities in obesity have been observed in both childhood and adulthood. However, it remains unclear how the role of risk factors influencing these inequalities has evolved over time. Methods: Longitudinal data on 2,866 children and adolescents (6-17years old) from the China Health and Nutrition Survey were used to track their BMI during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Concentration Index was utilized to measure socioeconomic inequalities in obesity, while Oaxaca decomposition was employed to determine the share of different determinants of inequality. Results: The concentration index for obesity during childhood and adulthood were 0.107 (95% CI: 0.023, 0.211) and 0.279 (95% CI: 0.203, 0.355), respectively. Changes in baseline BMI (24.6%), parental BMI (10.4%) and socioeconomic factors (6.7%) were found to be largely responsible for the increasing inequality in obesity between childhood and adulthood. Additionally, mother's education (-7.4%) was found to contribute the most to reducing these inequalities. Conclusion: Inequalities in obesity during childhood and adulthood are significant and growing. Interventions targeting individuals with higher BMI, especially those who are wealthy, can significantly reduce the gap.

Worse becomes the worst: obesity inequality, its determinants and policy options in Iran.

This tracked obesity inequality and identified its determinants among the population of Iran. In addition, it examined the impact of implemented policies on these inequalities. This study was performed in two phases. First, we conducted a rapid review of the disparity in obesity prevalence in Iran. Then we investigated the main determinants of this inequality in a qualitative study. In addition, we examined Iran's policies to deal with obesity from the perspective of equality. We conducted 30 Semi-structured interviews with various obesity stakeholders selected through a purposive snowball sampling method between November 25, 2019, and August 5, 2020. In the inductive approach, we used the content analysis method based on the Corbin and Status framework to analyze the data using MAXQDA-2020. The consolidating criteria for reporting a Qualitative Study (COREQ-32) were applied to conduct and report the study. Inequalities in the prevalence of obesity in terms of place of residence, gender, education, and other socioeconomic characteristics were identified in Iran. Participants believed that obesity and inequality are linked through immediate and intermediate causes. Inequality in access to healthy foods, physical activity facilities, and health care are the immediate causes of this inequality. Intermediate factors include inequality against women, children, and refugees, and inequality in access to information, education, and financial resources. Policymakers should implement equity-oriented obesity control policies such as taxing unhealthy foods, subsidizing healthy foods, providing healthy and free meals in schools, especially in disadvantaged areas, and providing nutrient-rich foods to low-income families. Also, environmental re-engineering to increase opportunities for physical activity should be considered. Of course, for the fundamental reduction of these inequalities, the comprehensive approach of all statesmen is necessary. Obesity inequality is a health-threatening issue in Iran that can prevent achieving human development goals. Targeting the underlying causes of obesity, including inequalities, must be considered.

Trends in inequalities in childhood overweight and obesity prevalence: a repeat cross-sectional analysis of the Health Survey for England

ObjectiveTo examine trends in socio-economic and ethnic inequalities in childhood overweight and obesity in the England between 1995 and 2019 in survey data and to compare these to administrative data.DesignObservational...

Inequalities in Childhood Nutrition, Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Obesity in Italy.

Unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and high body mass index (BMI) are preventable risk factors for non-communicable diseases throughout a person's lifespan. The higher prevalence of these risk factors in children from lower socio-economic groups has been generally observed. The aim of this study is to explore the effect of parents' socio-economic conditions on children's consumption of fruit, vegetables and sugar-sweetened drinks, and inactivity, sedentary behaviour, overweight and obesity. This study used data from the sixth cross-sectional survey of the surveillance "OKkio alla Salute" (Italian COSI), involving 2467 schools and 53,275 children in 2019. All the information was collected through four questionnaires addressed to parents, children, teachers and head teachers. The weights and heights of the children were measured with standard techniques and equipment to classify overweight/obesity according to the WOF-IOTF cut-offs. The results showed a high percentage of children who do not adhere to health recommendations and a high prevalence of overweight and obesity. In particular, "less healthy" behaviours and higher BMI were more frequent in children from families with a lower socio-economic status and those residing in Southern Italy. These findings highlight the need for effective interventions that address the differences in these health-related behaviours.

Area-level socioeconomic inequalities in overweight and obesity: Systematic review on moderation by built-environment attributes.

Residents of lower socioeconomic status (SES) areas are at a higher risk of overweight/obesity than those from higher SES areas. Built environment attributes may mitigate such inequalities. This systematic review synthesised findings of studies examining built environment attributes as potential moderators of the associations between area-level SES and overweight/obesity in adults. From five databases, nine eligible studies were identified. The SES-overweight/obesity relationship was stronger in inner areas and suburbs of large cities, while it was weaker in more rural areas. Two studies examined walkability and reported contrasting findings: no moderation in one and marginally significant moderation (less inequality in higher walkability areas) in the other. No evidence of moderation was found for street connectivity, population density, the food environment, access to physical activity facilities and several perceived environmental attributes. Further research is needed on other built environment attributes (e.g., access to, quantity and quality of green spaces, active transport features), and ideally using prospective study designs and objective makers of adiposity.

Temporal Trends, Socio-Economic Inequalities in Obesity and Responses by Federal Government, Nepal: A Systematic Review of Observational Studies, Policies, Strategies and Plans, 2005-2019

Introduction: Obesity has risen to epidemic proportions in low-income countries like Nepal, where maternal and child under-nutrition has reduced steadily. However, synthesised evidence on transition to obesity remains unavailable. We assessed trends and disparities in obesity occurrence, and examined central government’s policies and programmes. Methods: We searched PubMed and Google Scholar for articles published between January 1, 2005 and April 10, 2019, and websites of Demographic and Health Survey, Non-Communicable Diseases Risk Factor Survey, and Micronutrient Status Survey. We synthesised obesity and overweight prevalence data from the selected studies, narratively; and disaggregated latest proportions from nation-wide surveys by gender, geographical location and household wealth quintile. We charted obesity related actions from policies, strategies and plans; obtained through the websites of health ministry and government’s planning commission. Results: Twenty studies with data from 79,082 men and women aged 15 years or more and 11,866 children under five years, were included. Obesity or overweight among men and women increased from 20.0% in 2004 to 36.1% in 2016. Obesity alone rose from 5.3% to 7.5%. National average prevalence of childhood obesity or overweight remained very low. Overweight and obesity were more common among women, inhabitants of urban areas and central provinces, and the affluent. Governmental policies, strategies and plans on nutrition were primarily designed to control under-nutrition, with implications for preventing obesity. Conclusion: Overweight and obesity increased substantially between 2005 and 2019, disproportionately affecting socio-economic and geographical groups. Governmental nutritional strategies should consider addressing obesogenic environments.

Income-related inequality in obesity and its determinants in Spain: What happens beyond the obesity threshold?

This paper computes and decomposes income-related inequalities in three metrics of obesity, namely, status, depth and severity, for Spain, a European country characterized by a universal health care system with very high and rising obesity prevalence rates. Furthermore, this paper investigates the main determinants of the reduction in obesity inequalities observed over time among the female Spanish population. To compute these inequality indexes, we use cross-sectional and individual-level data gathered from the Spanish National Health Survey. We document income-related inequalities in obesity, that are more pronounced in depth and severity and are to the detriment of poor women in Spain. University education is the most important determinant for all three inequality indexes. We further report that inequalities in obesity tend to decline over time for women, which is explained mainly by a substantial decrease in the degree of inequality in secondary education and a large decrease in the income elasticity of obesity.

Socioeconomic and gender inequalities in childhood obesity in Spain

IntroductionChildhood obesity is inversely associated with household socioeconomic status in high-income countries. Our aim was to explore the association between childhood weight status and household socioeconomic status in Spain in relation to family characteristics, perceptions and lifestyle habits and the school environment. MethodsWe performed a descriptive analysis of child weight status according to family socioeconomic factors and mediating variables based on data from the ALADINO 2019 study in a sample of 16,665 schoolchildren representative of the population aged 6–9 years in Spain. ResultsThe prevalence of childhood obesity in households with low socioeconomic status (26.8% boys; 20.4% girls) was, in both sexes, twice as high as in those with higher socioeconomic status (12.1% boys; 8.7% girls). Unhealthy eating habits, sedentary lifestyles (mainly in girls) and the presence of screens in the bedroom (more prevalent in boys) were more frequent in school-aged children from low-income households. On the other hand, in the most disadvantaged households, a history of breastfeeding and physical activity (especially in girls) were less frequent. Similarly, schools attended by children from low-income households were less likely to have their own kitchens and indoor gymnasiums or offer sports activities. ConclusionA lower household socioeconomic status was associated with poorer dietary and physical activity habits and certain characteristics of the family and school environments that mediate the inverse association between household socioeconomic status and the prevalence of childhood obesity. Girls were less physically active and reported more sedentary lifestyles, while boys had greater access to screens. Interventions to combat childhood obesity should address the identified inequalities.

Exploring Social Media Preferences for Healthy Weight Management Interventions Among Adolescents of Color: Mixed Methods Study.

Social media holds promise as an intervention platform to engage youths in healthy weight management and target racial inequities in obesity. This mixed methods study aimed to examine social media habits, preferences, and obesity-related behaviors (eg, diet and physical activity) among adolescents of color and understand preferences for healthy weight management interventions delivered via social media. This mixed methods study is comprised of a cross-sectional web-based survey and a series of digital focus groups. Study participants (English-speaking youths of color ages 14-18 years) were recruited from high schools and youth-based community settings in Massachusetts and California. For surveys, participants were invited to complete an anonymous web-based survey assessing self-reported sociodemographics, social media habits and preferences, health behaviors (diet, physical activity, sleep, and screen time), and height and weight. For focus groups, participants were invited to participate in 45- to 60-minute web-based group discussions assessing social media habits, preferred social media platforms, and preferences for physical activity and nutrition intervention content and delivery. Survey data were analyzed descriptively; focus group transcripts were analyzed using a directed content analysis approach. A total of 101 adolescents completed the survey and 20 adolescents participated in a total of 3 focus groups. Participants reported most frequently using TikTok, followed by Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter; preference for platform varied by purpose of use (eg, content consumption, connection, or communication). TikTok emerged as the platform of choice as an engaging way to learn about various topics, including desired health information on physical fitness and diet. Findings from this study suggest that social media platforms can be an engaging way to reach adolescents of color. Data will inform future social media-based interventions to engage adolescents of color in healthy weight management content.

Neighborhood deprivation, built environment, and overweight in adolescents in the city of Oslo

BackgroundEven though the social and built environment characteristics of neighborhoods have been studied as potential determinants of social inequalities in obesity among adults, fewer studies have focused on children. Our first aim was to investigate whether there were differences in the food and physical activity environments between different neighborhood deprivation levels in the city of Oslo. We also explored whether there was an association between the prevalence of overweight (including obesity) among adolescents and (i) neighborhood deprivation levels and (ii) food and physical activity environments of the neighborhoods they live in.MethodsWe conducted a food and physical activity environment mapping (using ArcGIS Pro) in all neighborhoods of Oslo, which were defined by administrative boundaries (sub-districts). The neighborhood deprivation score was calculated based on the percentage of households living in poverty, unemployment in the neighborhood, and residents with low education. A cross-sectional study including 802 seventh graders from 28 primary schools in Oslo residing in 75 out of 97 sub-districts in Oslo was also performed. MANCOVA and partial correlations were ran to compare the built environment distribution between different neighborhood deprivation levels, and multilevel logistic regression analyses were used to explore the effect of neighborhood deprivation and the food and physical activity environments on childhood overweight.ResultsWe found that deprived neighborhoods had greater availability of fast food restaurants and fewer indoor recreational facilities compared to low-deprived neighborhoods. Additionally, we observed that the residential neighborhoods of the adolescents with overweight had greater availability of grocery and convenience stores when compared to the residential neighborhoods of the adolescents without overweight. Adolescents living in neighborhoods with high deprivation had a two-fold higher odds (95% CI = 1.1–3.8) to have overweight compared to adolescents living in neighborhoods with low deprivation, regardless of participants’ ethnicity and parental education. However, the built environment did not determine the relationship between neighborhood deprivation and overweight in adolescents.ConclusionThe neighborhoods in Oslo with higher deprivation levels had more obesogenic characteristics than the low-deprived neighborhoods. Adolescents living in high-deprived neighborhoods were more likely to have overweight than their counterparts from low-deprived neighborhoods. Thus, preventive measures targeting adolescents from high-deprived neighborhoods should be put in place in order to reduce incidence of overweight.