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Open Access 01-12-2022 | Underweight | Research

Inequality in health opportunities in Indonesia: long-term influence of early-life circumstances on health

Author: Toshiaki Aizawa

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2022

Abstract

Background

This study explores inequality of opportunity in terms of the health of adult Indonesian people, associated with household and parental circumstances in childhood and adolescence.

Methods

Exploiting the longitudinal nature of the Indonesian Family Life Survey, this study measures inequalities relating to being underweight, overweight, hypertensive and diabetic across adult Indonesians aged between 20 and 35 through the dissimilarity index. This study explores their determinants by decomposing the observed inequality levels into contributing factors. Moreover, this study sheds light on the underlying mechanisms through which early-life circumstances influence the health of grown-up respondents, by estimating the intermediate effects of early-life circumstances on current lifestyles.

Results

For all health conditions, health risks are unequally distributed (all p<0.01). Demographic factors and parental health are major contributors to inequalities relating to being underweight, overweight and hypertensive. Family structure and parental occupation are major contributors to inequality in diabetes. The greater part of this inequality is explained by the indirect pathways through which early-life circumstances mediate current diet and exercise habits.

Conclusions

The results suggest that such interventions that compensate for disadvantaged early-life circumstances would be essential in reducing future health risks and mitigating health inequality.

Available only for authorised users

Although age of majority in Indonesia varies across legal instruments, this study follows the one used in the criminal code.

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Title: Inequality in health opportunities in Indonesia: long-term influence of early-life circumstances on health
Author: Toshiaki Aizawa
Publication date: 01-12-2022
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Underweight
Underweight
Published in: BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13714-8

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Inequality in health opportunities in Indonesia: long-term influence of early-life circumstances on health

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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