Time perspective in socioeconomic inequalities in smoking and body mass index

Abstract

Objective: To determine if time perspective plays a mediating role in the relationship between socio-economic position (SEP) and both smoking and body mass index (BMI).

Design: 2000 adults aged 18 years and over were randomly selected from the edited electoral register for the city of Newcastle upon Tyne, England and sent a postal questionnaire. Two reminders were sent.

Main outcome measures: Socio-economic position was measured using the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) of the area of residence. Time perspective was measured using the Consideration of Future Consequences Scale (CFCS). Smoking and BMI were self-reported.

Results: Full data was available for 804 individuals (response rate: 40.2%). After controlling for age, gender and health status, IMD was significantly associated with BMI, smoking status and CFCS score (p < .001), and CFCS score was significantly associated with BMI (p < .001), but not smoking status. There was evidence that CFCS score played a partial mediating role in the relationship between IMD and BMI but not that between IMD and smoking status.

Conclusion: Further longitudinal work is required to confirm the mediating role of time perspective in socio-economic inequalities in BMI. Interventions tailored to individuals time perspective may be effective in reducing obesity and socio-economic inequalities in obesity.