title: Associations between education and personal income with body mass index among Australian women residing in disadvantaged neighborhoods.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of the current study were to (1) determine the association between personal income and body mass index (BMI) and between individual education and BMI, and (2) examine the association between education and BMI across strata of personal income among women.
  
  
  METHODS
  The design of the study was a quantitative analysis of data from self-report questionnaires.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study setting was socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods in Victoria, Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 4065 nonpregnant women (ages 18-45 years) living in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study used a self-report questionnaire measuring sociodemographic characteristics known to be associated with BMI.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multiple linear regressions with imputation were used to assess the association between education level, personal income, and BMI, while controlling for covariates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean (SD) observed BMI was 26.0 (6.1) kg/m2. Compared with women with low education, women with medium (b = -0.81; 95% confidence interval, -1.30 to -0.27; p = .004) and high (b = -1.71; 95% confidence interval, -2.34 to -1.09; p < .001) education had statistically significantly lower BMI values. No differences in BMI were observed between income categories. Stratified analyses suggested that the education-BMI association may be stronger in low-income than higher-income women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data show that among women living in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas, high education level rather than personal income may be protective against overweight/obesity. High personal income, however, may buffer the effects of low education on BMI. Obesity prevention efforts should target women with amplified disadvantage.
authors: Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia. Lauren.Williams@mcri.edu.au
authors: Lauren K
authors: LK
authors: Williams
authors: Nick
authors: N
authors: Andrianopoulos
authors: Verity
authors: V
authors: Cleland
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Crawford
authors: Kylie
authors: K
authors: Ball
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income; D016014:Linear Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D011204:Poverty Areas; D057566:Self Report; D014739:Victoria; D055815:Young Adult