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A Reversal of the Association between Education Level and Obesity Risk during Ageing: A Gender-Specific Longitudinal Study in South Korea

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  • Woojin Chung

    (Department of Health Policy and Management, Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
    Institute of Health Services Research, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea)

  • Roeul Kim

    (Labor Welfare Research Institute, Korea Workers’ Compensation and Welfare Service, Seoul 07254, Korea)

Abstract

This study aimed to examine and quantify obesity risk across different education levels during ageing using the dataset of a nationally representative longitudinal survey. A total of 45,391 observations of 9991 individuals aged ≥45 years were included in this study. Obesity was defined as a body mass index of ≥25, according to a guideline for Asians by the World Health Organization, and education level was grouped into three categories. Socio-demographics, lifestyles, and health conditions were used as covariates. Adjusted odds ratios and predicted probabilities of obesity were computed and adjusted for a complex survey design. With respect to gender, education level and age were significantly associated with obesity risk, and the association was stronger in women than in men. Furthermore, education level was negatively associated with obesity risk in the middle age in each gender. However, the association became positive in the old age, specifically among highly educated women. Therefore, policy efforts to reduce obesity risk and the resulting education gradients should be established based on studies considering their old age. Further longitudinal studies are required to examine whether these findings are valid in other socio-cultural or economic settings.

Suggested Citation

  • Woojin Chung & Roeul Kim, 2020. "A Reversal of the Association between Education Level and Obesity Risk during Ageing: A Gender-Specific Longitudinal Study in South Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-19, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:18:p:6755-:d:414539
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    2. Woojin Chung & Roeul Kim, 2020. "Which Occupation is Highly Associated with Cognitive Impairment? A Gender-Specific Longitudinal Study of Paid and Unpaid Occupations in South Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-17, October.

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