Exploring Relationships Between Socio-Economic Status and the Health Correlates of Excess Weight Among Canadians
Date
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Previous studies have examined the relationship between social class and body mass index (BMI) in Canada, illustrating a class gradient in body weight. Few researchers have examined the relationship between social class and comorbidities of excess weight. Using the Canadian Health Measures Survey (Cycle 1), I employ multivariate linear and logistic regression techniques to explore the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES), sociodemographic characteristics, and weight-related health (BMI and comorbidities of excess weight) among Canadians. I use the Edmonton Obesity Staging System to operationalize comorbidities of excess weight as sub-clinical indicators of medical conditions associated with excess weight (aerobic fitness), medical symptoms (hypertension), and functional limitations. I find that the relationship between SES and weight-related health varies by gender, measure of SES, and measure of weight-related health, concluding that to better understand how social class influences weight-related health, researchers need to expand how ‘weight’ is measured.