Inequalities in and between geographical regions by anthropometric body fat indices in Turkey

Introduction Increased body fat became an important risk factor as a result of epidemiologic transformation. This study aimed to determine absolute and relative inequality indexes in body mass index and waist/height ratio in both genders in geographical regions of Turkey and to make comparisons between regions. Methods Mean BMI and waist/height ratio of education and social class groups in 5 geographic regions of Turkey were estimated from Chronic Diseases and Risk Factor Survey, Turkey. Linear regression models were used to estimate absolute and relative indexes of inequality for each gender and geographic region. Results Absolute lowest-highest inequalities observed were: in BMI in men by education groups East-North (-2.396, -0.059), in women East-Middle (2.552, 5.741); in waist/height ratio in men South-East (-0.031, 0.069), in women West-Middle (0.070, 0.115); BMI in social class in men Middle-North (-3.161, -1.363), in women East-Middle (-0.241, 3.029), waist-height ratio in men in Middle-East (-0.048, 0.032), in women in West-Middle (0.017, 0.061). Relative inequalities in BMI by education groups ranged between East-North (0.918, 0.998) in men, East-Middle (1.105, 1.236) in women, in waist/height ratio South-Wast (0.942, 1.171), South-Middle (1.141, 1.232), respectively; in social class in BMI in men Middle-North (0.885, 0.949), in women in East-Middle (0.990, 1.114); in waist/height ratio Middle-East (0.915-1.062), West-Middle (1.033-1.119), respectively. Conclusion In men, higher education was associated with lower body fat while in women opposite was evident. Regarding social class, in men, higher social class was associated with lower body fat. In women this association was in the opposite direction.