Socioeconomic Status and Childhood Obesity: a Review of Literature from the Past Decade to Inform Intervention Research

Abstract

Purpose of review: This is a review of the patterns, conceptualization, and suggested mechanisms underlying the relationship of socioeconomic status (SES) to obesity in childhood and the implications of these data for interventions going forward.

Recent findings: Adiposity and SES are negatively associated in high-income countries and positively associated in medium to low-income countries. Several mechanisms, such as early introduction of solid food and parental behaviors, which may explain the association of SES and adiposity, have been identified. Parental education and adiposity and early pediatric nutrition appear to be particularly salient SES-related effectors on adiposity. There is a clear association of SES and adiposity which is affected by population affluence. Evaluation of the relationship of SES and obesity in children are complicated by the complexity of SES and lack of common definition. A number of SES-related interventional targets have been identified. Intervention research should ensure they are addressing SES-associated issues in the study population.

Keywords: Children; Health disparities; Interventions; Obesity; Socioeconomic status.