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Poverty, Weight Status, and Dietary Intake among UK Adolescents

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  • Robert J. Noonan

    (Department of Sport and Physical Activity, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk L39 4QP, UK)

Abstract

The aims of this study were to (1) determine whether an income gradient to overweight and obesity exists in UK adolescents, and (2) examine associations between poverty, weight status, and dietary intake among adolescent girls and boys. Data is from wave six of the UK Millennium Cohort Study. Adolescent height and weight were measured. Body mass index was calculated (kg/m 2 ) and used to classify overweight and obesity. Family income and poverty were determined using equivalised household income. Adjusted logistic and multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted. Ten thousand seven hundred thirty-six adolescents (5425 boys) had complete data. Adolescents in the lowest income group were at greatest risk of overweight and obesity. Adolescents living in poverty were more likely to be overweight and obese, and reported more frequent consumption of sweetened drinks and fast food and less frequent consumption of fruits and vegetables ( p < 0.001). The magnitude of poverty differences in weight status and dietary intake were greatest among girls. This study evidences a strong income gradient to overweight and obesity among UK adolescents. The findings of this study encourage researchers and policy makers to be equally mindful of the social determinants of health when advocating adolescent behavioural dietary interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Robert J. Noonan, 2018. "Poverty, Weight Status, and Dietary Intake among UK Adolescents," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-8, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:6:p:1224-:d:151681
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    1. Sharon Friel & Melanie Pescud & Eleanor Malbon & Amanda Lee & Robert Carter & Joanne Greenfield & Megan Cobcroft & Jane Potter & Lucie Rychetnik & Beth Meertens, 2017. "Using systems science to understand the determinants of inequities in healthy eating," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(11), pages 1-18, November.
    2. West, Patrick, 1997. "Health inequalities in the early years: Is there equalisation in youth?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 44(6), pages 833-858, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hui-Rang Yim & Hyun Ju Yun & Jee Hye Lee, 2021. "An Investigation on Korean Adolescents’ Dietary Consumption: Focused on Sociodemographic Characteristics, Physical Health, and Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-14, September.
    2. Peter Congdon, 2022. "Measuring Obesogenicity and Assessing Its Impact on Child Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Ecological Study for England Neighbourhoods," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-17, August.
    3. Chloe Patel & Lukasz Walasek & Eleni Karasouli & Caroline Meyer, 2022. "Content and Validity of Claims Made about Food Parenting Practices in United Kingdom Online News Articles," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-16, April.
    4. Hanna Dudek & Joanna Myszkowska-Ryciak, 2020. "The Prevalence and Socio-Demographic Correlates of Food Insecurity in Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-16, August.

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