Socio‐economic inequalities in childhood obesity: Can community level interventions help to reduce the gap?

Abstract

A link between higher rates of childhood obesity and deprivation has been noted in the UK, as well as several other European countries and the US. The drivers of obesity are complex and multi‐factorial, but socially and economically disadvantaged groups may be more vulnerable to many of these. Evidence that rates of obesity are rising faster in low‐income population groups, resulting in widening inequalities indicates that prevention policies must take account of socio‐economic factors. It has been suggested that community‐wide approaches placing less emphasis on individual responsibility or ‘agency’ (i.e. have less emphasis on aspects that require cognitive, psychological and material resources and time) can be more effective and equitable. This paper outlines examples of community approaches that may have contributed to the reported reductions in childhood obesity in some areas, particularly amongst deprived groups including Health, Exercise and Nutrition in the Really Young in Leeds, UK; Ensemble Prévenons l'Obésité Des Enfants and Amsterdam’s citywide Healthy Weight Programme. The policies enacted that improved the nutrition environment and increased opportunities for physical activity in four US sites (the Childhood Obesity Declines project) are also considered. It is clear that there is no silver bullet for tackling childhood obesity. A whole systems approach that takes into account more holistically the reasons why healthy diet and lifestyles may be less available to families on low incomes is needed.

Associations between socioeconomic position and young people’s physical activity and sedentary behaviour in the UK: a scoping review

“…In the UK, there is a clear socioeconomic pattern in child weight status,26 27 but whether this socioeconomic patterning is also clear in physical activity and/or sedentary behaviour among young people in the UK has yet to be determined. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no previous review focusing on data from the UK only.…”

Removing plastic packaging from fresh produce – what’s the impact?

“…Higher income and food security was also associated with more food waste in this study. Low consumption of fruit and vegetables is typically particularly evident among those on a low income, with diet quality being one example of socio‐economic health inequalities evident in the UK and elsewhere (Lockyer & Spiro ). Food waste occurring in a nation such as the UK in which individuals are experiencing food insecurity, evidenced by school holiday hunger and increased food bank use (The Conversation ), is difficult to reconcile.…”

Associations between Neighborhood Deprivation Index, Parent Perceptions and Preschooler Lifestyle Behaviors

“…Furthermore, children from more deprived areas consumed, on average, 23% more calories daily compared to those from less deprived areas [23]. Similarly, a large international study that included children from the UK showed that obesity prevalence in 4-5 year old children living in the most deprived areas was more than double that of those living in the least deprived areas [24]. A further study from New Zealand investigated the association between neighborhood deprivation, unhealthy food outlets, unhealthy dietary behaviors, and children's weight status.…”