title: The mediating role of dietary factors and leisure time physical activity on socioeconomic inequalities in body mass index among Australian adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The relationship between socioeconomic position and obesity has been clearly established, however, the extent to which specific behavioural factors mediate this relationship is less clear. This study aimed to ascertain the contribution of specific dietary elements and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) to variations in obesity with education in the baseline (1990-1994) Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study (MCCS).
  
  
  METHODS
  18, 489 women and 12, 141 men were included in this cross-sectional analysis. A series of linear regression models were used in accordance with the products of coefficients method to examine the mediating role of alcohol, soft drink (regular and diet), snacks (healthy and sweet), savoury items (healthy and unhealthy), meeting fruit and vegetable guidelines and LTPA on the relationship between education and body mass index (BMI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to those with lowest educational attainment, those with the highest educational attainment had a 1 kg/m2 lower BMI. Among men and women, 27% and 48%, respectively, of this disparity was attributable to differences in LTPA and diet. Unhealthy savoury item consumption and LTPA contributed most to the mediated effects for men and women. Alcohol and diet soft drink were additionally important mediators for women.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diet and LTPA are potentially modifiable behavioural risk factors for the development of obesity that contribute substantially to inequalities in BMI. Our findings highlight the importance of specific behaviours which may be useful to the implementation of effective, targeted public policy to reduce socioeconomic inequalities in obesity.
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gearon
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Backholer
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hodge
authors.affiliation: Obesity and population health unit, Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia. Anna.Peeters@bakeridi.edu.au.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peeters
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires