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Socioeconomic Status and Childhood Obesity: a Review of Literature from the Past Decade to Inform Intervention Research

  • Etiology of Obesity (M Rosenbaum, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This is a review of the patterns, conceptualization, and suggested mechanisms underlying the relationship of socioeconomic status (SES) to obesity in childhood and the implications of these data for interventions going forward.

Recent Findings

Adiposity and SES are negatively associated in high-income countries and positively associated in medium to low-income countries. Several mechanisms, such as early introduction of solid food and parental behaviors, which may explain the association of SES and adiposity, have been identified. Parental education and adiposity and early pediatric nutrition appear to be particularly salient SES-related effectors on adiposity.

Summary

There is a clear association of SES and adiposity which is affected by population affluence. Evaluation of the relationship of SES and obesity in children are complicated by the complexity of SES and lack of common definition. A number of SES-related interventional targets have been identified. Intervention research should ensure they are addressing SES-associated issues in the study population.

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  1. Steve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, 1925 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX, 78712, USA

    Christian E. Vazquez & Catherine Cubbin

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Correspondence to Christian E. Vazquez.

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Vazquez, C.E., Cubbin, C. Socioeconomic Status and Childhood Obesity: a Review of Literature from the Past Decade to Inform Intervention Research. Curr Obes Rep 9, 562–570 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-020-00400-2

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