Widening Socioeconomic Disparities in Pain and Physical Function Among Americans Are Linked with Growing Obesity.

ABSTRACT: Objectives: We investigate whether obesity accounts for widening socioeconomic disparities in pain. Methods: Based on nationally representative samples of Americans aged 25-74 in 1995-1996 and 2011-2014, we use logistic regression to model period change in headaches, backaches, and joint aches as well as physical limitations and to determine whether those changes vary by a multidimensional measure of socioeconomic status. Results: Prevalence of backaches, joint aches, physical limitations, and obesity increased between the mid-1990s and the early 2010s, particularly among more disadvantaged Americans. Socioeconomic disparities in frequent backaches, frequent joint pain, and physical limitations more than doubled over this period. We estimate that obesity and health con

SUBMITTER: Glei DA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8751296 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature