Relative Weight and Income at Different Levels of Socioeconomic Status
- 1 March 2004
- journal article
- research article
- Published by American Public Health Association in American Journal of Public Health
- Vol. 94 (3) , 468-472
- https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.94.3.468
Abstract
Objectives. We examined the association of relative weight with individual income at different levels of socioeconomic status among gainfully employed Finnish women and men. Methods. We used a population-based survey including 2068 women and 2314 men with linked income data from a taxation register. Regression analysis was used to calculate mean income levels within educational and occupational groups. Results. Compared with their normal-weight counterparts, obese women with higher education or in upper white-collar positions had significantly lower income; a smaller income disadvantage was seen in overweight women with secondary education and in manual workers. Excess body weight was not associated with income disadvantages in men. Conclusions. Obesity is associated with a clear income disadvantage, particularly among women with higher socioeconomic status.Keywords
This publication has 20 references indexed in Scilit:
- Bias, Discrimination, and ObesityObesity Research, 2001
- Socioeconomic status and weight control practices in British adultsJournal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 2001
- Validity of self-reported weight and height in the French GAZEL cohortInternational Journal of Obesity, 2000
- Black-white differences in social and economic consequences of obesityInternational Journal of Obesity, 1999
- Socioeconomic status and weight control practices among 20- to 45-year-old women.American Journal of Public Health, 1996
- Bias against overweight job applicants in a simulated employment interview.Journal of Applied Psychology, 1994
- Social and Economic Consequences of Overweight in Adolescence and Young AdulthoodNew England Journal of Medicine, 1993
- Decreased social activity in obese adultsDiabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 1990
- Socioeconomic status and obesity: A review of the literature.Psychological Bulletin, 1989
- Health, obesity, and earnings.American Journal of Public Health, 1980