Determinants of Obesity in Relation to Socioeconomic Status among Middle-Aged Swedish Women
Preventive MedicinePublished 1 September 1997
Sarah Wamala, Alicja Wolk, Kristina Orth‐Gomér
Citations196
SJR quartileQ1
SJR score1.79
SNIP1.34
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TL;DR
Both low social position and obesity were related to reproductive history, unhealthy dietary habits, and unfavorable psychosocial factors, which together explained 53% of the low-SES-obesity association.
Abstract
Reproductive history, unhealthy dietary habits, and psychosocial stress accounted for a large part of the association between low SES and obesity. Dietary habits and psychosocial stress are potentially modifiable factors, which should be taken into account in intervention programs among women with low SES.
Keywords
Medicine
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