Influence of socioeconomic status on changes in body size and physical activity in ageing black South African women.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The increasing prevalence of obesity in sub-Saharan African women is not well understood, and black South African women in the region are particularly vulnerable. This study aimed to examine whether the relationship of socioeconomic status (SES) with changes in body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) is mediated by physical activity in ageing African women.

Methods

In a longitudinal analysis of the 518 caregivers associated with the Birth to Twenty Plus study, the role of SES associated with 10-year changes in BMI and WC was tested using structural equation modelling (SEM). The degree of mediation of moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sitting time in this association was also assessed.

Results

The prevalence of obesity increased signi

SUBMITTER: Gradidge PJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5921976 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature