SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF OBESITY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Authors

  • Udegbune, Michael M. School of Health & Life Sciences, Teesside University, Southfield Road, Middlesbrough, Tees Valley, TS1 3BX, United Kingdom.
  • Nwankwo, Maduabuchukwu Joseph Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
  • Ihegihu, Ebere Yvonne Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
  • Chukwuemeka, Uche Martha Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria.
  • Abonyi, Isaac Department of Physiotherapy, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.
  • Fawole, Henrietta Department of Physiotherapy, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

Keywords:

obesity, social determinants, epidemiology

Abstract

Background: Obesity is a global public health problem. The increasing prevalence arise from complex and multifaceted determinants that relate to individual lifestyles, choices people make and the influence of social circumstances of the wider society in which they live. There is a worldwide phenomenon that obesity follows a social gradient that makes it possible for higher obesity risk to reflect lower level of socioeconomic profile (SEP) or socioeconomic status (SES). The levels of SEP or SES define the conditions of daily living which, are in turn shaped by the broader political, economic, social and cultural environment.

Aim: The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of published literature over a timeframe of 2000 to 2018 on lifestyle factors, economic conditions, environmental and socio–cultural issues as they constitute social determinants of obesity in the UK.

Methods: Based on the modified PRISMA protocol, a literature search was conducted for the social determinants of obesity in the UK across four generalisable themes or search areas: living environment, behaviour/psychology, biology/physiology and economic drivers of food production and consumption. The systematic review identified published works done in the UK from 2000 to 2018 using ten databases. Only studies characterised by empirical evaluations of causality of obesity predicated on four generalisable themes and which, met the inclusion criteria were considered in this review.

Results: A total of 14 articles met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed in this study. The majority of the determinants related to living environment and economic drivers for food production and consumption, rather than behaviour/psychology or biology/physiology. This review found living environment and economic drivers for food production and consumption to be demonstrably having the most influence on obesity as a public health problem in the UK.

Conclusion: The living environment and economic drivers for food production and consumption were the two key determinants of obesity in the UK as shown in this review. Many limitations are noteworthy and should be considered when interpreting the findings highlighted here. Future studies on causalities of obesity would benefit from pursuing two vital paths of inquiry recommended in this review.

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Published

29-12-2023

How to Cite

Udegbune, M. M., Nwankwo, M. J., Ihegihu, E. Y., Chukwuemeka, U. M., Abonyi, I., & Fawole, H. (2023). SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF OBESITY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE. Journal of Biomedical Investigation, 11(3), 156–177. Retrieved from https://journals.unizik.edu.ng/jbi/article/view/2984

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 3 (2023)

Section

Articles

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