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Income-related inequality in obesity and its determinants in Spain: What happens beyond the obesity threshold?

Author

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  • Athina Raftopoulou

    (University of Patras)

  • Joan Gil Trasfi

    (Universitat de Barcelona)

Abstract

This paper computes and decomposes income-related inequalities in three metrics of obesity, namely, status, depth and severity, for Spain, a European country characterized by a universal health care system with very high and rising obesity prevalence rates. Furthermore, this paper investigates the main determinants of the reduction in obesity inequalities observed over time among the female Spanish population. To compute these inequality indexes, we use cross-sectional and individual-level data gathered from the Spanish National Health Survey. We document income-related inequalities in obesity, that are more pronounced in depth and severity and are to the detriment of poor women in Spain. University education is the most important determinant for all three inequality indexes. We further report that inequalities in obesity tend to decline over time for women, which is explained mainly by a substantial decrease in the degree of inequality in secondary education and a large decrease in the income elasticity of obesity.

Suggested Citation

  • Athina Raftopoulou & Joan Gil Trasfi, 2024. "Income-related inequality in obesity and its determinants in Spain: What happens beyond the obesity threshold?," International Journal of Health Economics and Management, Springer, vol. 24(1), pages 135-153, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:ijhcfe:v:24:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1007_s10754-023-09360-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s10754-023-09360-1
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Income-related inequalities; Obesity status; Decomposition analysis; Obesity depth and severity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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