review · BMJ Open
This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the connection between neighbourhood socioeconomic status and the risks of overweight, obesity, and elevated body mass index. Evaluating 21 observational studies encompassing over 1.2 million individuals across longitudinal and cross-sectional designs, the analysis synthesises how area-level economic deprivation correlates with weight outcomes. The pooled results demonstrate that living in a low socioeconomic status neighbourhood is associated with a 31 percent higher likelihood of overweight, a 45 percent higher likelihood of obesity, and an average body mass index increase of 1.09 kilograms per square metre compared to residing in higher-status areas. These associations persist beyond an individual's own socioeconomic standing. The findings confirm that neighbourhood socioeconomic disparities are significant contributors to the overall burden of obesity, highlighting the need for further research into targeted area-level interventions.
Obesity is a major global public health challenge often attributed to individual lifestyle choices. By showing that neighbourhood-level economic conditions significantly raise the risk of overweight and obesity irrespective of personal socioeconomic status, this work demonstrates that local environments play a vital role. This helps public health officials recognise that addressing area-level deprivation is critical to reducing weight-related diseases.
The abstract does not indicate an application pathway, as it focuses strictly on epidemiological meta-analysis and suggests further research into whether addressing neighbourhood disparities can reduce obesity risks.
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Objective Low neighbourhood socioeconomic status (NSES) has been linked to a higher risk of overweight/obesity, irrespective of the individual’s own socioeconomic status. No meta-analysis study has been done on the association. Thus, this study was done to synthesise the existing evidence on the association of NSES with overweight, obesity and body mass index (BMI). Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Sciences and Google Scholar databases were searched for articles published until 25 September 2019. Eligibility criteria Epidemiological studies, both longitudinal and cross-sectional ones, which examined the link of NSES to overweight, obesity or BMI, were included. Data extraction and synthesis Data extraction was done by two reviewers, working independently. The methodological quality of included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for the observational studies. The summary estimates of the relationships of NSES with overweight, obesity and BMI statuses were calculated with random-effects meta-analysis models. Heterogeneity was assessed by Cochran’s Q and I 2 statistics. Subgroup analyses were done by age categories, continents, study designs and NSES measures. Publication bias was assessed by visual inspection of funnel plots and Egger’s regression test. Result A total of 21 observational studies, covering 1 244 438 individuals, were included in this meta-analysis. Low NSES, compared with high NSES, was found to be associated with a 31% higher odds of overweight (pooled OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.16 to 1.47, p<0.001), a 45% higher odds of obesity (pooled OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.74, p<0.001) and a 1.09 kg/m 2 increase in mean BMI (pooled beta=1.09, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.50, p<0.001). Conclusion NSES disparity might be contributing to the burden of overweight/obesity. Further studies are warranted, including whether addressing NSES disparity could reduce the risk of overweight/obesity. PROSPERO registration number CRD42017063889
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DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-028238
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