Social Factors Related to Obesity Flashcards
what are the inter related dimensions of a healthy lifestyle (3)
- individuals
- individuals within their environment (family, friends, community, workplace)
- relationship between individuals and their social environment
Social environment: Proximal factors
family
peers (work)
friends
social environment: distal factors
-social networks in the community/neighbourhood
-perceptions (trust/acceptance) in the community
-crime (persons/property) & incivilities (graffiti, vandalism)
how is obesity and social factors connected? (3)
Links between neighbourhood, individual incomes, socioeconomic status (SES) and risk for obesity.
-parks and open spaces increase in high SES
-where there is food insecurity there is the highest obesity rates
-in lower SES areas there are 2-4x as many convenience stores than supermarkets/food markets
how does obesity rates connect with level of education?
obesity decreases with higher household education.
connection between food choice & social factors
cost of high quality food is generally more expensive than lower quality food (pop/chips) & may be easier/cheaper to buy junk than it is real food
link between food vendors & social factors
-low income areas tend to have less access to quality food than high income equivalents
-more fast food outlets in low income neighbourhoods
define “food desert”
is an area with no amenities/access to fresh food and vegtables
why do low income areas tend to have less access to quality foods (2)
- vendors that sell quality foods are harder to find/reach
- ‘food desert’- more fast food chains are in low income areas
link between sports/extra curriculars and social factors
-opportunity to take part in such is expensive and limited for low income families
-screens are cheaper than organized sports
link between play and social factors
-low income neighbourhoods may not be safe or have access to high quality rec centers
-transportation (bus/walk) might be farand adds another barrier
effects of COVID-19 on social factors (9)
-job loss: impacts income available for food
-increase stress: from job loss, increase alcohol consumption
-housing and food insecurities
-changes in available choices/behaviours
restrictions: lead to small busnisses closing (reduced access to fresh produce)
-disproportionally affected certain populations (health inequities)
-reduction in physical activity
-challenges in maintaing healthy eating habits
-increase sedentary behaviour
-social isolation
define ethnicity
a broad multi-dimensional concept that forms from biological, psychological and social factors
-Includes national identity, diet, social situations, culture/colour, citizenship, language & faith
-Is dynamic
how can ethnicity be related to obesity? (3)
- range of different body shapes & physiological responses to fat storage across different ethnic groups
-some ethnic groups have different BMI obesity cut offs (ex. asians it is lower)
-Different ethnic groups have different amounts of subcutaneous fats vs intra-abominal fats % naturally
what is the thrifty gene hypothesis
genome adapted to an environment lacking in predictable access to food.
how is the thrifty gene hypothesis related to obesity today?
- become very efficient in using and storing energy
-the human genome has stayed thrifty but lifestyle has changed
-True for all ethnic groups, something may be genetically unique about indigenous groups which in combination with a drastic lifestyle change puts them at a high risk for obesity
Risk for obesity in Canada:
-indigenous
-immigants
Indigenous: 1.6x higher those living off reserve, 1.4x higher for Metis
Immigrants: less likely to be obese than non immigrants (17 vs 30%)
potential reasons for risk variation (4)
- nutritional transition
- shifting trends in food availability, consumption, lifestyle & behavioural patterns
- migration
- genetics
general trends of interethnic variation in diet (3)
- caucasians tend to consume higher saturated fats/trans fat
- south asians tend to consume higher carbs, fibre and lower total fat
- chinese tend to consume more total fat & protein
What does a westernization of diet mean
could be a rapid shift from a traditional diet to one of market foods (high sugar, carbs, fat, processed)
interethnic variation in activity
-level of physical activity
-participation in sport/leisure PA
-other socio cultural factors
individual (5) vs environmental (4) choices related to obesity. Give examples
Individual:
-culture
-skills
-knowledge
-time
-preferences
Environment:
-affordability
-access, availability
-placement
-marketing
