Relative weight and income at different levels of socioeconomic status.
OBJECTIVE
We examined the association of relative weight with individual income at different levels of socioeconomic status among gainfully employed Finnish women and men.


METHODS
We used a population-based survey including 2068 women and 2314 men with linked income data from a taxation register. Regression analysis was used to calculate mean income levels within educational and occupational groups.


RESULTS
Compared with their normal-weight counterparts, obese women with higher education or in upper white-collar positions had significantly lower income; a smaller income disadvantage was seen in overweight women with secondary education and in manual workers. Excess body weight was not associated with income disadvantages in men.


CONCLUSIONS
Obesity is associated with a clear income disadvantage, particularly among women with higher socioeconomic status.
Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Sirpa
S
Sarlio-Lähteenkorva
Karri
K
Silventoinen
Eero
E
Lahelma
D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations / Q000145:classification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012042:Registries; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class