Sociodemographic disparities and contextual factors in obesity: updated evidence from a National Survey of Risk Factors for Chronic Diseases

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association of sociodemographic and environmental factors with the obesity occurrence in Argentina from a sex- and age-comparative perspective and a multilevel approach. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study based on secondary data from the National Survey of Chronic Diseases Risk Factors (CDRF) 2018, Argentina. Two-level logistic regression models stratified by sex and age were used. SETTING: The nationwide probabilistic sample of the CDRF survey and twenty-four geographical units. PARTICIPANTS: 16 410 adult people, living in Argentine towns of at least 5000 people, nested into 24 geographical units. Sex and age groups were defined as young (aged 18–44 years), middle-aged (45–64 years) and older (65 years and older) men and women. RESULTS: Single men (all age groups) and divorced/widowed men (aged 45 years or older) had a lower obesity risk compared to married ones. In the middle-aged group, men with higher education showed a lower risk than men with incomplete primary education. In young women, a marked social gradient by educational level was observed. A low-income level coupled with highly urbanised contexts represents an unfavourable scenario for young and middle-aged women. Having a multi-person household was a risk factor for obesity (OR = 1·26, P = 0·038) in middle-aged women. Contextual factors linked to the availability of socially constructed recreational resources and green spaces were associated with obesity among young adults. CONCLUSIONS: Socio-environmental determinants of obesity seem to operate differently according to sex and age in Argentina. This entails the need to address the obesity epidemic considering gender inequalities and the socio-environmental context at each stage of life.