ation was 40%; for obesity, the adjusted PAR for income was 32%, and the PAR for education was 39% for adolescents. These percentages are statistically significant and indicate a causal relationship between socioeconomic status and obesity and depression.
In a study of 8,667 adults aged 24 years to 50 years with a low SES, Ball et. al. found the mean Body Mass Index (BMI) to be 25.8 for males and 26.8 for females. Neither of these figures is considered obese by the national definition but is higher than is recommended. In the same study it was found that The BMI for the elderly (aged 65 +) exceeded the figures given for the 24 years to 50 years subgroup and that the PARs for the same variables from the Goodman study were even more prevalent for the elderly than for the adolescent age group. It can then be concluded that age is a strong determinant for obesity and depression for those in a low socioeconomic status. The young and the elderly are more likely than middle-aged adults to be obese and exhibit some characteristics of depression.
Wardle, J. et. al. found that gender plays a significant role in determining obesity within low socioeconomic status. Women who were employed at a low occupational status were more greatly at risk than men to be obese. One suggested explanation for this is that low occupational status limits time and opportunity to make healthy lifestyle choices and also cause greater amounts of stress. These factors are very indicative of obesity. The difference between men and women, however, is unknown for this factor.
Income was not as strong a factor in determining a difference between men and women for obesity. Although w
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