Association and inequality between socioeconomic status and the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults aged 18 and older in Bangladesh

Background

Overweight and obesity have emerged as significant public health concerns in Bangladesh. This study aims to assess the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and the prevalence of overweight and obesity while identifying socioeconomic inequalities among adults aged 18 and older in Bangladesh.

Methods

Using data from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2017–18, this study analyzed a sample of 24,478 adults. Overweight and obesity were classified according to the World Health Organization's Body Mass Index (BMI) guidelines. SES was measured by wealth index, and its association with overweight and obesity was examined using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Socioeconomic inequality was evaluated using concentration curves and indexes.

Results

The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was 31.8% and 13.4%, respectively. Even after controlling for age, gender, education, and place of residence, higher socioeconomic status was significantly associated with an increased risk of being overweight or obese. Adults in the richest wealth category were 3.2 times more likely to be overweight and 9.8 times more likely to be obese compared to those in the poorest category (p < 0.01). The concentration index of 0.35 (CI: 0.33 to 0.37; $p$ < 0.01) indicated that overweight and obesity were more prevalent among wealthier adults, highlighting a pro-rich inequality.

Conclusion

There is a significant socioeconomic disparity in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Bangladesh, with wealthier adults disproportionately affected. Targeted public health initiatives are needed to curb this growing epidemic, particularly among wealthier groups, to reduce obesity-related non-communicable diseases.