Social inequality and age-specific gender differences in overweight and perception of overweight among Swedish children and adolescents: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundOverweight among children and adolescents related to social inequality, as well as age and gender differences, may contribute to poor self-image, thereby raising important public health concerns. This study explores social inequality in relation to overweight and perception of overweight among 263 boys and girls, age 7 to 17, in Växjö, Sweden.MethodsData were obtained through a questionnaire and from physical measurements of height, weight and waist circumference [WC]. To assess social, age and gender differences in relation to overweight, the independent sample t- and chi-square tests were used, while logistic regression modeling was used to study determinants for perception of overweight.ResultsSocial inequality and gender differences as they relate to high ISO-BMI [Body Mass Index for children] and WC were associated with low maternal socioeconomic status [SES] among boys < 13 years [mean age = 10.4; n = 65] and with low paternal education level among boys ≥ 13 years [mean age = 15.0; n = 39] [p < 0.05]. One suggested explanation for this finding is maternal impact on boys during childhood and the influence of the father as a role model for adolescent boys. The only association found among girls was between high ISO-BMI in girls ≥ 13 years [mean age = 15.0; n = 74] and low paternal occupational status. Concerning perception of overweight, age and gender differences were found, but social inequality was not the case. Among boys and girls < 13 years, perception of overweight increased only when overweight was actually present according to BMI or WC [p < 0.01]. Girls ≥ 13 years [mean age = 15.0] were more likely to unrealistically perceive themselves as overweight or “too fat,” despite factual measurements to the contrary, than boys [p < 0.05] and girls < 13 years [mean age = 10.4; n = 83] [p < 0.001].ConclusionsThe association between social inequality and overweight in adolescence in this study is age- and gender-specific. Gender differences, especially in perception of overweight, tend to increase with age, indicating that adolescence is a crucial period. When planning interventions to prevent overweight and obesity among children and adolescents, parental SES as well as age and gender-specific differences in social norms and perception of body weight status should be taken into account.

‘Just stuff yourself’: Identifying health‐promotion strategies from the perspectives of adolescent boys from disadvantaged neighbourhoods

“…Many studies suggest that boys are more physically active than girls . In general, boys are more satisfied with their weight, which they tend to underestimate, but are just as dissatisfied as girls with their body overall . Rowlands and Gough argue that due to ‘perfect’ masculine bodies in (social) media, there is growing pressure for men to strive for a muscular body.…”

“…First, it is the right of children and adolescents to participate in matters affecting their health and lives as stated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child of the United Nations. Second, participation increases feasibility and validity of research, and eventually the chance of designing successful interventions . In addition, participation in this type of research contributes to personal development and self‐efficacy among young people by prompting them to reflect on their lives and take shared action …”

“…Second, participation increases feasibility and validity of research, and eventually the chance of designing successful interventions. 21,22,24 In addition, participation in this type of research contributes to personal development and self-efficacy among young people by prompting them to reflect on their lives and take shared action. 25 The aim of this article was to understand the perceptions of health and health-promotion strategies among adolescent boys from disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in order to identify opportunities for health promotion that is better tailored to their needs.…”

Gender differences in cumulative life-course socioeconomic position and social mobility in relation to new onset diabetes in adults—the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil)

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Implicações da pouca preocupação e percepção familiar no sobrepeso infantil no município de Curitiba, PR, Brasil

“…Assim, à medida que alimentos saudáveis -peixes, carnes magras, vegetais e frutas frescas -estão menos disponíveis para indivíduos de condições mais restritas, a relação entre obesidade e menor nível socioeconômico é observada em países em desenvolvimento 17 .…”