Trends in social inequality in overweight and obesity among adolescents in Denmark 1998–2018

Mette Rasmussen (), Mogens Trab Damsgaard (), Camilla Schmidt Morgen (), Lene Kierkegaard (), Mette Toftager (), Stine Vork Rosenwein (), Rikke Fredenslund Krølner (), Pernille Due () and Bjørn Evald Holstein ()
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Mette Rasmussen: University of Southern Denmark
Mogens Trab Damsgaard: University of Southern Denmark
Camilla Schmidt Morgen: University of Southern Denmark
Lene Kierkegaard: University of Southern Denmark
Mette Toftager: University of Southern Denmark
Stine Vork Rosenwein: University of Southern Denmark
Rikke Fredenslund Krølner: University of Southern Denmark
Pernille Due: University of Southern Denmark
Bjørn Evald Holstein: University of Southern Denmark

International Journal of Public Health, 2020, vol. 65, issue 5, No 15, 607-616

Abstract: Abstract Objectives The aim was to analyze trends in overweight and obesity in relation to socioeconomic position among Danish adolescents in the 20-year period 1998–2018. Methods The study used data on self-reported height and weight and parents’ occupational social class (OSC) from 11-, 13- and 15-year-old schoolchildren in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018, n = 22,177. The analyses included absolute social inequality in overweight/obesity (prevalence difference between low and high OSC) and relative social inequality (OR for overweight/obesity). Results In the total sample, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 9.7% and 1.4%, respectively, with significantly higher prevalence in low than high OSC. There were significantly increasing trends in both overweight and obesity 1998–2018 in low OSC and no significant increase in high OSC. The OR for overweight was 1.59 (1.42–1.74) in middle and 2.16 (1.89–2.46) in low OSC, OR for obesity 1.74 (1.29–2.34) in middle and 2.97 (2.15–4.11) in low OSC. Associations were not modified by survey year. Conclusions There was a persistent absolute and relative social inequality in overweight and obesity 1998–2018 among Danish adolescents.

Keywords: Adolescents; HBSC; Obesity; Overweight; Social inequality; Socioeconomic status; Trend study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1007/s00038-020-01342-1

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