Socioeconomic Inequalities and Obesity in South Africa—A Decomposition Analysis

Eva Goetjes, Milena Pavlova, Charles Hongoro and Wim Groot
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Eva Goetjes: CINCH Health Economics Research Center, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, University of Duisburg-Essen, Berliner Platz 6–8, 45127 Essen, Germany
Charles Hongoro: Peace and Sustainable Security (PaSS), Developmental, Capable and Ethical State Division, Human Sciences Research Council, 134 Pretorius Street, Private Bag X41, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
Wim Groot: Department of Health Services Research, CAPHRI, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 17, 1-13

Abstract: Background: Prior evidence shows that inequalities are related to overweight and obesity in South Africa. Using data from a recent national study, we examine the socioeconomic inequalities associated with obesity in South Africa and the factors associated with it. Methods: We use quantitative data from the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1) carried out in 2012. We estimate the concentration index (CI) to identify inequalities and decompose the CI to explore the determinants of these inequalities. Results: We confirm the existence of pro-rich inequalities associated with obesity in South Africa. The inequalities among males are larger (CI of 0.16) than among women (CI of 0.09), though more women are obese than men. Marriage increases the risk of obesity for women and men, while smoking decreases the risk of obesity among men significantly. Higher education is associated with lower inequalities among females. Conclusions: We recommend policies to focus on promoting a healthy lifestyle, including the individual’s perception of a healthy body size and image, especially among women.

Keywords: equity; socioeconomic inequalities; obesity; Erreyger concentration index; decomposition analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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