Socioeconomic inequalities in waist circumference and its 12-year change: Moderation by neighbourhood population density.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Reducing socioeconomic inequalities in obesity is a public health priority. We examined whether population density, a key environmental characteristic associated with obesity, moderates the associations of area-level socioeconomic status (SES) with waist circumference and its rate of change.

Methods

Data from adults in an Australian national study, collected across three waves (1999-2000, 2005-06, 2011-12), were used. Outcomes were objectively measured baseline waist circumference (N = 4835) and its rate of change (N = 1158). Exposure was baseline area-level SES. Baseline population density was calculated within a 1 km buffer around residences. Multilevel regression models were used.

Results

Higher area-level SES was associated with smaller bas

SUBMITTER: Selvakumaran S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12478090 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature