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. 2010 Mar;51(2):171-7.
doi: 10.3349/ymj.2010.51.2.171. Epub 2010 Feb 12.

Sociodemographic status and self-reported BMI-related morbidity in Koreans

Kayoung Lee  1
Affiliations

Sociodemographic status and self-reported BMI-related morbidity in Koreans

Kayoung Lee. Yonsei Med J. 2010 Mar.

Abstract

Purpose: This study examined whether the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the morbidity of chronic diseases differs by marital status, education, and income level.

Materials and methods: From a nationally representative sample of 5,526 adults from the third Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2005), data regarding measured height and weight to classify BMI category (< 23, 23-24.9, > or = 25), self-reported sociodemographics (marital status, education, income, age, sex, and residence area), health behaviors (smoking, alcohol use, exercise, sleep, stress perception, and depression), and morbidity from at least one chronic disease were collected.

Results: Education, income, and marital status were significantly associated with morbidity regardless of adjustment for BMI and health behaviors. After adjusting for BMI, other sociodemographic factors, and health behaviors, the odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of morbidity was 2.9 (2.4-3.7) for those in the married group and 2.9 (2.1-4.0) for those in the separated/divorced/widowed group, 2.0 (1.6-2.5) for those in the lowest education group, and 1.3 (1.2-1.6) for those in the lowest income group. When the BMI category and sociodemographic factors were combined, the odds ratios were elevated for those in the combination group with higher BMI and lower sociodemographic position.

Conclusion: Korean subjects who were married, in the lowest education group, or in the lowest income level had a higher risk of morbidity in relation to BMI.

Keywords: BMI; Education; income; marital status; morbidity.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author has no financial conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Distribution of chronic diseases by gender from the 3rd KHANES (n = 5526). KHANES, Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. *Significant difference (p < 0.05) by gender using χ2 test.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Odds ratios for morbidity of chronic diseases in relation to BMI according to sociodemographics in Korean adults from the 3rd KHANES. KHANES, Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey; BMI, body mass index. Commonly adjusting for age, sex, residence, health behaviors (smoking, alcohol use, exercise, sleep, stress perception, and depression) plus education and income (for marital status) or plus marital status and income (for education) or plus marital status and education (for income). *p < 0.05. The reference group was comprised of those with unmarried status and with BMI < 23 for marital status, those in the highest education group and with BMI < 23 for education, and those in the highest income group and with BMI < 23 for income.
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