Article

Resilience to obesity among socioeconomically disadvantaged women: the READI study.

Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia.
International journal of obesity (2005) (impact factor: 4.34). 09/2011; 36(6):855-65. DOI:10.1038/ijo.2011.183 pp.855-65
Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT This cross-sectional study aimed to identify sociodemographic and behavioural characteristics of 'overweight-resilient' women, that is, women who were in a healthy body weight range, despite living in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhoods that place them at increased risk of obesity. The study also aimed to test a comprehensive theoretically derived model of the associations between intrapersonal, social and environmental factors and obesity among this target group.
A total of 3235 women aged 18-45 years from 80 urban and rural neighbourhoods throughout Victoria, Australia, participated in the Resilience for Eating and Activity Despite Inequality study.
Women reported height, weight, sociodemographic characteristics, leisure-time physical activity, dietary behaviours and a range of theoretically derived cognitive, social and neighbourhood environmental characteristics hypothesized to influence obesity risk. A theoretical model predicting body mass index (BMI) was tested using structural equation models.
Women classified as 'resilient' to obesity tended to be younger, born overseas, more highly educated, unmarried and to have higher or undisclosed household incomes. They engaged in more leisure-time physical activity and consumed less fast foods and soft drinks than overweight/obese women. Neighbourhood characteristics, social characteristics and cognitive characteristics all contributed to explaining variation in BMI in the hypothesized directions.
These results demonstrate several characteristics of women appearing 'resilient' to obesity, despite their increased risk conferred by residing in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Acknowledging the cross-sectional study design, the results advance theoretical frameworks aimed at investigating obesity risk by providing evidence in support of a comprehensive model of direct and indirect effects on obesity of neighbourhood, as well as social, cognitive and behavioural characteristics.

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Keywords

'overweight-resilient' women
 
body mass index
 
comprehensive theoretically
 
cross-sectional study
 
cross-sectional study design
 
healthy body weight range
 
increased risk
 
indirect effects
 
Inequality study
 
influence obesity risk
 
leisure-time physical activity
 
Neighbourhood characteristics
 
neighbourhood environmental characteristics hypothesized
 
obesity risk
 
overweight/obese women
 
results advance theoretical frameworks
 
socioeconomically disadvantaged neighbourhoods
 
structural equation models
 
undisclosed household incomes
 
Women