The Relationship Between Income and Weight Control Strategies Among Canadian Adults

Objective:The goal of this study was to examine use of weight control strategies in Canadian adults and the role of income as a barrier to using these strategies. Methods:Data from the Canadian Community Health Survey cycle 4.1 on health behaviour change was used for this study. Analysis was restricted to adults (18+ years) residing in the 10 provinces of Canada. Respondents were categorized as having used weight control strategies in their lifestyle if they responded that they increased exercise, improved/modified their eating habits, or lost weight in the previous 12 months, as the primary means of health improvement. An adjusted household income ratio divided into deciles was used as a measure of income. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the relationship between income and weight control strategies adjusting for known confounders. Results:Of the 103,990 respondents analyzed, 60% were overweight or obese and 45% reported using weight control strategies in the previous 12 months. Age, sex, ethnicity, having a regular doctor, education, and income were all significantly associated with using weight control strategies in the multivariable model. Results that included all two- and three-way interactions between sex, weight category, and income found that lower income was significantly associated with using fewer weight control strategies – more so for obese men and normal weight women. Conclusion:Efforts must be made to create equal access to services and food products that promote weight reduction or control strategies given the rising prevalence of adult obesity in Canada.