Abstract
Background: Obesity inequalities have been recognised as a public health problem in Chile. However, less is known about the social inequalities in behaviours contributing to obesity -i.e., dietary intakes, physical activity (PA), and sedentary behaviours (SB).Objective: To critically analyse obesity-related behaviours (i.e., diet, PA, and SBs) among the Chilean population, according to socioeconomic position (SEP). In doing so, this thesis draws on the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) framework for identifying the structural and intermediate determinants that influence the inequalities in obesity-related behaviours.
Methods: A multi-method approach was used: 1) A systematic review of observational studies assessing social inequalities in dietary intakes, PA, SBs, among the Chilean population, and; 2) A qualitative study of 30 Chilean female participants, to explore their perceptions and experiences regarding food and diet, PA, SBs, and compare these according to their SEP.
Results: The systematic review indicated a consistent less healthy dietary pattern (lower in fruit and vegetables, dairy products, fish, and wholegrains, but higher in pulses), lower time spent in leisure-time PA and in sitting behaviours, and higher total physical inactivity, among the lower SEP groups, when compared to their higher SEP counterparts. The qualitative study identified different barriers and facilitators according to participant’s SEP for food and diet-related practices and consumption, PA, and SBs. Food planning arose as a gendered practice, not differentiated across SEP, whereas for food preparation, provision and consumption, PA and SBs, participants faced different barriers and facilitators according to their access to material, psychosocial, individual, and cultural resources derived from their SEP. More salient barriers to meeting the Chilean dietary and PA guidelines were lack of time and material resources, which were encountered with different material, psychosocial, individual, and cultural resources according to the women’s SEP.
Conclusions: A mix of structural and intermediate determinants contribute to explaining the socioeconomic and gender inequalities in dietary intakes, PA, and SBs among the Chilean population. Findings from this thesis provide valuable information for research and policies aiming at reducing inequalities in obesity-related behaviours.
Date of Award | 9 May 2023 |
---|---|
Original language | English |
Awarding Institution |
|
Supervisor | Angeliki Papadaki (Supervisor) & Zoi Toumpakari (Supervisor) |