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Public health minister links obesity to poverty: what does the data show? Public health minister links obesity to poverty: what does the data show?
(about 17 hours later)
The Public Health Minister Anna Soubry discussed the link between wealth and weight of children in the UK this week. In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, the Minister said "not everybody who is overweight comes from deprived backgrounds but that's where the propensity lies".The Public Health Minister Anna Soubry discussed the link between wealth and weight of children in the UK this week. In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, the Minister said "not everybody who is overweight comes from deprived backgrounds but that's where the propensity lies".
We decided to look at the relevant data: do children's waistlines get wider when their parents' belts get tighter? The results are not quite so straightforward.We decided to look at the relevant data: do children's waistlines get wider when their parents' belts get tighter? The results are not quite so straightforward.
Looking at the link between deprivation and obesity for men and women in Britain, there is a direct and clear correlation. 30% of women and 25% of men who are classified as the most deprived in society are also obese. These numbers drop to 19% and 22% obesity rates for the least deprived. Looking at the link between deprivation and obesity for men and women in Britain, there is a notable correlation, as obesity prevalence rises or stays the same with each increase in deprivation. 30% of women and 25% of men who are classified as the most deprived in society are also obese. These numbers drop to 19% and 22% obesity rates for the least deprived.
As ever, we should not infer causation from correlation, and the same obesity figures plotted against income quintiles are less clear. In this case, while obesity prevalence is higher among the lowest earning 20% of men and women than among the highest earners, it is also higher among the second lowest earning quartile than the lowest.
But the story is less clear when looking at obesity and income for children. Boys which are the least likely to be obese are not the most wealthy - 14% of the highest income quintile are obese, but this number drops to 9% for the next quintile of the population. A similar surprise is to be found for girls, where those in the median income range are the most likely to be obese.But the story is less clear when looking at obesity and income for children. Boys which are the least likely to be obese are not the most wealthy - 14% of the highest income quintile are obese, but this number drops to 9% for the next quintile of the population. A similar surprise is to be found for girls, where those in the median income range are the most likely to be obese.
When introducing the category 'overweight' into the analysis, the relationship between weight and income becomes yet more complicated. Among men for example, the more deprived you are, the less likely you are to be classed as overweight (including the obese).When introducing the category 'overweight' into the analysis, the relationship between weight and income becomes yet more complicated. Among men for example, the more deprived you are, the less likely you are to be classed as overweight (including the obese).
It seems striking that although the average person in the UK is getting heavier, for most items, the average basket in the UK is getting lighter. The quantity purchased of milk products, carcase meats, fats, sugar and preserves as well as bread have all fallen since 1974.It seems striking that although the average person in the UK is getting heavier, for most items, the average basket in the UK is getting lighter. The quantity purchased of milk products, carcase meats, fats, sugar and preserves as well as bread have all fallen since 1974.
It could be that the combination of British food choices (less fresh fruit and vegetables, more non-carcase meats which includes take-away meats, pies and sausages) is affecting our waistlines.It could be that the combination of British food choices (less fresh fruit and vegetables, more non-carcase meats which includes take-away meats, pies and sausages) is affecting our waistlines.
Though fewer grams may be purchased of certain food groups, changing tastes and recipes might mean that the rising calorie and fat content of these items is offsetting the effect of buying less. Alternatively, rising obesity in the face of falling purchases may demonstrate the importance of changing levels of physical activity in the UK.Though fewer grams may be purchased of certain food groups, changing tastes and recipes might mean that the rising calorie and fat content of these items is offsetting the effect of buying less. Alternatively, rising obesity in the face of falling purchases may demonstrate the importance of changing levels of physical activity in the UK.
Usefully, Defra also breaks down these UK-wide averages by household income group. Looking this time at nutritional intake, it's clear that household income does make a difference. But again, those differences are not consistent across income groups.Usefully, Defra also breaks down these UK-wide averages by household income group. Looking this time at nutritional intake, it's clear that household income does make a difference. But again, those differences are not consistent across income groups.
For example, someone from the poorest 10% of UK households will consume on average 1,845 calories per day while someone from the richest 10% of households would consume 2,009 calories.For example, someone from the poorest 10% of UK households will consume on average 1,845 calories per day while someone from the richest 10% of households would consume 2,009 calories.
The highest calorie consumption however is to be found in the households between these two extremes; those in the 4th income decile consume 2,096 calories per day. A similar pattern can be seen for fat intake, where the poorest and richest households consumer fewer grams of fat per day than those in the middle income groups.The highest calorie consumption however is to be found in the households between these two extremes; those in the 4th income decile consume 2,096 calories per day. A similar pattern can be seen for fat intake, where the poorest and richest households consumer fewer grams of fat per day than those in the middle income groups.
The picture for nutrition when eating out is similarly complex. Those who consume the least calories and fat outside the household are those in the 3rd decile. Someone from lowest income group will typically consume 247 calories per day outside their home, a figure which rises to 367 for the richest income group.The picture for nutrition when eating out is similarly complex. Those who consume the least calories and fat outside the household are those in the 3rd decile. Someone from lowest income group will typically consume 247 calories per day outside their home, a figure which rises to 367 for the richest income group.
Though there is a relationship between the two, it seems that there isn't a direct, consistent correlation to be found between weight and income/deprivation in UK households.Though there is a relationship between the two, it seems that there isn't a direct, consistent correlation to be found between weight and income/deprivation in UK households.
One reason may be the range of other factors besides income which can affect the weight of adults and children. Focusing solely on "TV dinners" and "cheap junk food" neglects the impact of other variables such as physical exercise and the impact of eating out.One reason may be the range of other factors besides income which can affect the weight of adults and children. Focusing solely on "TV dinners" and "cheap junk food" neglects the impact of other variables such as physical exercise and the impact of eating out.
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DATA: Overweight and obesity prevalence among adults and children, by income and deprivation
DATA: Overweight and obesity prevalence among adults and children, by income and deprivation
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