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Published in: European Journal of Epidemiology 10/2007

01-10-2007 | Cardiovascular Disease

Widening of a social gradient in obesity risk? German national health surveys 1990 and 1998

Authors: Andrea Icks, Susanne Moebus, Astrid Feuersenger, Burkhard Haastert, Karl-Heinz Jöckel, Andreas Mielck, Guido Giani

Published in: European Journal of Epidemiology | Issue 10/2007

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Abstract

Objective Whether differences in obesity prevalences across social status levels have widened remains controversial. Methods We used German national health surveys (1990–1992 and 1998, n = 7,466 and 5,583, age 25–69 years) to estimate obesity prevalences and its associations with calendar year, age (25–39, 40–60, and 61–69), and educational level (low, middle, and high), as well as an interaction term (year × educational level) in men and women. We used multiple regression models, considering the sample design. Results Obesity prevalence in 1990 and 1998 was 18.1 (95% CI 16.5–19.7) and 19.9 (18.2–21.6) in men and 20.9 (19.2–22.6) and 21.6 (19.3–23.7) in women, with statistically significantly higher prevalences in higher age and lower education. A statistically significant increase of obesity prevalence was present only in men after adjustment for age and education. The increase seems to be highest in high-educated subjects. However, interaction was not statistically significant, except in middle compared to high-educated men (OR 0.67; 0.47–0.96). Conclusions Obesity prevalence increased only moderately in Germany between 1990–1992 and 1998. There was a tendency of reduction of the social gradient in obesity instead of a widening.
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Metadata
Title
Widening of a social gradient in obesity risk? German national health surveys 1990 and 1998
Authors
Andrea Icks
Susanne Moebus
Astrid Feuersenger
Burkhard Haastert
Karl-Heinz Jöckel
Andreas Mielck
Guido Giani
Publication date
01-10-2007
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
European Journal of Epidemiology / Issue 10/2007
Print ISSN: 0393-2990
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7284
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10654-007-9170-x

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