title: Socioeconomic gradients in chronic disease risk factors in middle-income countries: evidence of effect modification by urbanicity in Argentina.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We investigated associations of socioeconomic position (SEP) with chronic disease risk factors, and heterogeneity in this patterning by provincial-level urbanicity in Argentina.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used generalized estimating equations to determine the relationship between SEP and body mass index, high blood pressure, diabetes, low physical activity, and eating fruit and vegetables, and examined heterogeneity by urbanicity with nationally representative, cross-sectional survey data from 2005. All estimates were age adjusted and gender stratified.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among men living in less urban areas, higher education was either not associated with the risk factors or associated adversely. In more urban areas, higher education was associated with better risk factor profiles (P < .05 for 4 of 5 risk factors). Among women, higher education was associated with better risk factor profiles in all areas and more strongly in more urban than in less urban areas (P < 0.05 for 3 risk factors). Diet (in men) and physical activity (in men and women) were exceptions to this trend.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results provide evidence for the increased burden of chronic disease risk among those of lower SEP, especially in urban areas.
authors.affiliation: Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. nancyfl@umich.edu
authors.forename: Nancy L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Fleischer
authors.forename: Ana V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Diez Roux
authors.forename: Marcio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alazraqui
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Spinelli
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: De Maio
mesh_terms: D001118:Argentina; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*