Exploring Relationships Between Socio-Economic Status and the Health Correlates of Excess Weight Among Canadians

Previous studies have examined the relationship between social class and body mass index (BMI) in Canada, illustrating a class gradient in body weight. Few researchers have examined the relationship between social class and comorbidities of excess weight. Using the Canadian Health Measures Survey (Cycle 1), I employ multivariate linear and logistic regression techniques to explore the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES), sociodemographic characteristics, and weight-related health (BMI and comorbidities of excess weight) among Canadians. I use the Edmonton Obesity Staging System to operationalize comorbidities of excess weight as sub-clinical indicators of medical conditions associated with excess weight (aerobic fitness), medical symptoms (hypertension), and functional limitations. I find that the relationship between SES and weight-related health varies by gender, measure of SES, and measure of weight-related health, concluding that to better understand how social class influences weight-related health, researchers need to expand how ‘weight’ is measured.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Sociology

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Graduate Studies

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• Higgins, Benjamin Roscoe

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Godley, Jenny

• Social Sciences

Statement dc:rights

• University of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.

Language dc:language.iso

eng

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/26101

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ucalgary.scholaris.ca:11023/737