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Social and Psychological Predictors of Body Mass Index among South Africans 15 Years and Older: SANHANES-1

Author

Listed:
  • Zandile June-Rose Mchiza

    (School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa)

  • Whadi-Ah Parker

    (Social Aspects of Public Health (SAPH), Human Sciences Research Council, Cape Town 8000, South Africa)

  • Muhammad Zakir Hossin

    (Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm SE-171 76, Sweden)

  • Amy Heshmati

    (Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm SE-106 91, Sweden
    Centre for Health Equity Studies, Stockholm University, Stockholm SE-106 91, Sweden)

  • Demetre Labadarios

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Francie van Zijl Drive, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa)

  • Daniel Falkstedt

    (Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm SE-171 76, Sweden)

  • Ilona Koupil

    (Department of Public Health Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm SE-171 76, Sweden
    Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, Stockholm SE-106 91, Sweden)

Abstract

This study investigated how psychological distress and the proxies for social position combine to influence the risk of both underweight and overweight in South Africans aged 15 years and older. This was a cross-sectional study that included 2254 men and 4170 women participating in the first South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1). An analysis exploring the associations of social and mental health characteristics with body mass index (BMI) was conducted using binary and multinomial logistic regressions. Results suggested that, overall, women had a higher risk of overweight/obesity compared to men (age-adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 4.65; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 3.94–5.50). The gender effect on BMI was smaller in non-African participants (AOR 3.02; 95% CI 2.41–3.79; p -value for interaction = 0.004). Being employed and having a higher level of education were associated with higher risks of overweight and obesity and a lower risk of underweight. Being single or without a spouse and poor mental health were found to increase the odds of being underweight, especially in men. To conclude, there are strong social gradients and important gender and ethnic differences in how BMI is distributed in the South African population.

Suggested Citation

  • Zandile June-Rose Mchiza & Whadi-Ah Parker & Muhammad Zakir Hossin & Amy Heshmati & Demetre Labadarios & Daniel Falkstedt & Ilona Koupil, 2019. "Social and Psychological Predictors of Body Mass Index among South Africans 15 Years and Older: SANHANES-1," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-20, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:20:p:3919-:d:276758
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cornelie Nienaber-Rousseau & Olusola F. Sotunde & Patricia O. Ukegbu & P. Hermanus Myburgh & Hattie H. Wright & Lize Havemann-Nel & Sarah J. Moss & Iolanthé M. Kruger & H. Salomé Kruger, 2017. "Socio-Demographic and Lifestyle Factors Predict 5-Year Changes in Adiposity among a Group of Black South African Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-16, September.
    2. Sobal, Jeffery & Rauschenbach, Barbara & Frongillo, Edward A., 2003. "Marital status changes and body weight changes: a US longitudinal analysis," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 56(7), pages 1543-1555, April.
    3. Averett, Susan L. & Sikora, Asia & Argys, Laura M., 2008. "For better or worse: Relationship status and body mass index," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 6(3), pages 330-349, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Machoene D. Sekgala & Ronel Sewpaul & Maretha Opperman & Zandile J. Mchiza, 2022. "Comparison of the Ability of Anthropometric Indices to Predict the Risk of Diabetes Mellitus in South African Males: SANHANES-1," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-16, March.
    2. Monica Ewomazino Akokuwebe & Erhabor Sunday Idemudia, 2021. "Multilevel Analysis of Urban–Rural Variations of Body Weights and Individual-Level Factors among Women of Childbearing Age in Nigeria and South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-30, December.
    3. Zandile June-Rose Mchiza & Whadi-ah Parker & Ronel Sewpaul & Sunday Olawale Onagbiye & Demetre Labadarios, 2020. "Body Image and the Double Burden of Nutrition among South Africans from Diverse Sociodemographic Backgrounds: SANHANES-1," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-16, January.

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