The relationship between body mass index and socioeconomic and demographic indicators: Evidence from Australia

Abstract

Objectives: This paper explores the association of body mass index (BMI) with socioeconomic and demographic factors using data from the 6th wave of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. Methods: This study applies a stereotype logit model (SLM) to assess 10,875 individuals on the relationship between BMI and socioeconomic and demographic indicators. Results: Aggregate results from the SLM show a positive (and concave) association between age and higher BMI. Further, males are more likely than females to have higher BMI. Higher BMI is positively associated with long-term health problems, reduced prosperity, being married, and being born in Australia and negatively associated with possessing a diploma or above. Conclusions: Results show that there is a positive and concave relationship between age and higher BMI. Further, males tend to have higher BMI as compared to females. Higher BMI is also positively related to long-term health problems, reduced prosperity, being married and being born in Australia. Negative association with BMI is observed on those possessing a diploma and above. © 2011 Swiss School of Public Health.