Obesity is a more common problem among children from higher social classes than lower social classes in Ankara, Turkey: a retrospective study

Abstract

It has been suggested that the prevalence of obesity is higher in lower socioeconomic status of high-income countries and in upper socioeconomic strata of low-income countries. This pattern has not been thoroughly examined in middle-income countries. We aimed to clarify the distribution pattern of obesity and overweight among social classes in Ankara, Turkey. The pupils were chosen from lower, middle, and upper socioeconomic sectors of society. A total of 1074 males and 1045 females were measured anthropometrically (stature, body weight, and triceps skinfold thickness) and their body mass indices (BMI) were calculated. Obesity and overweight prevalence were assessed using the reference values derived from National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES I and II) conducted on US children. Our findings indicated that the prevalence of overweight and obesity were markedly different among social classes in Turkey. The prevalence of obesity was similar in lower and middle socioeconomic status (SES) whereas it was higher in upper SES. It could be said that overweight and obesity are more common problem among children from upper SES than lower and middle SES. In other words, the pattern of overweight + obesity prevalence in Turkey resembles that of children in low-income countries. 

Keywords

• Obesity,overweight,anthropometry,socioeconomic conditions

References

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