The Weight of SES, Eace/ethnicity, and Gender: A Systematic Examination of the Social Causes of Obesity

• In Event: 2184 - Section on Medical Sociology Refereed Roundtable Session
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Table 02. Obesity, Body Weight, and Diet

Abstract

Although extensive research exists on the association between SES and obesity, the majority of studies have examined it in additive models without simultaneously considering the influence of gender and race/ethnicity. By utilizing the 2011-2014 cycle of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (N=19,931), this study addresses key gaps in the literature on the social patterning of obesity. Research findings uncover stark gendered and racial disparities in obesity. Specifically, higher income and education was associated with a decreased risk for obesity among women but not men. Similarly, higher SES offered protection from weight gain to White and Hispanic adults; however Black adults had a higher mean BMI regardless of their income or education levels. When gender and race/ethnicity were simultaneously interacted with education and income, only minor variations in BMI were observed among men across all racial/ethnic groups; however, among women, a strong racial pattern emerged.

Author

• Gabriele Ciciurkaite, Utah State University