BACKGROUND:

Evidence for age-related variation in the relationship between obesity-related behaviours and socioeconomic position may assist in the targeting of dietary and physical activity interventions among children.

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the relationship between different indicators of socioeconomic position and obesity-related behaviours across childhood and adolescence.

METHODS:

Data were from 4487 children aged 2 to 16 years participating in the cross-sectional 2007 Australian National Children’s Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. Socioeconomic position was defined by the highest education of the primary or secondary carer and parental income. Activity was assessed using recall methods with physical activity also assessed using pedometers. Intake of energy-dense drinks and snack foods, fruits and vegetables was assessed using 2 × 24-h dietary recalls.

RESULTS:

A socioeconomic gradient was evident for each dietary measure (although in age-specific analyses, not for energy-dense snacks in older children), as well as television viewing, but not physical activity. Whether each behaviour was most strongly related to parental income or education of the primary or secondary carer was age and sex dependent. The socioeconomic gradient was strongest for television viewing time and consumption of fruit and energy-dense drinks.

CONCLUSIONS:

A strong socioeconomic gradient in eating behaviours and television viewing time was observed. Relationships for particular behaviours differed by age, sex and how socioeconomic position was defined. Socioeconomic indicators define different population groups and represent different components of socioeconomic position. These findings may provide insights into who should be targeted in preventive health efforts at different life stages.

© 2012 The Authors. Pediatric Obesity © 2012 International Association for the Study of Obesity

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Additional Information:

“Socioeconomic position during childhood is a powerful predictor of adult health outcomes. Relationships exist between level of disadvantage and each of physical activity, sedentary behavior and diet. Using national Australian data for children aged 2 to 16 years, here we provide evidence of relationships between different indicators of socioeconomic position and obesity-related behaviours across childhood and adolescence. We observed a strong socioeconomic gradient in some eating behaviors and television viewing time, but not physical activity. Socioeconomic indicators define different population groups and represent different components of socioeconomic position. These findings may provide insights into who should be targeted in preventive health efforts at different life stages.”