Are there Socio-Economic Inequalities in Obesity in Spain?

Joan Costa i Font and Joan Gil

No 217, Studies on the Spanish Economy from FEDEA

Abstract: Obesity is one of the main health policy concerns in western societies today. In spite of its strong policy implications, the research devoted to the issue has been somewhat limited. This paper empirically examines the existence of income-related inequalities in obesity in Spain, using the National Health Survey (2001) and recently developed methods to estimate inequalities in obesity and its decomposition. Our findings indicate evidence of significant income inequalities in obesity prevalence. Yet, the contribution of education is the main explanatory variable of the prevalence of obesity, followed by income, physical exercise and region of residence. The results suggest that the individual's social environment is a non-dismissible variable in explaining the proliferation of obesity in Spain.

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