Mechanisms of social capital and overweight and obesity inequalities within low educated groups.

Abstract

Background: Low educated with bonding social capital (having friends with the same educational level) are more likely to be overweight or obese, than low educated with bridging social capital (having friends with a higher educational level). This study aimed to investigate whether mechanisms of social capital; modelling, social norms and social support, explain lower overweight and obesity levels among low educated with bridging social capital. Methods: Survey data from low educated citizens (25 – 75 years) of Eindhoven that participated in the fifth wave follow up of the GLOBE study (N = 377) was used for this study. Binary logistic regression models were created to demonstrate the association between bridging social capital and overweight or obesity. It was studied whether modelling, social norms and social support functioned as mediating factors within this association. Odds ratio’s (OR) were obtained en reported to draw conclusions. Results: The results show that modelling and social norms do not function as a mediator between bridging social capital and overweight and obesity. Social support for a healthy diet possibly functions as a mediator in the relationship between bridging social capital and obesity, because social support has a significant effect on both of the variables. Conclusions: The results indicate that modelling and social norms do not explain lower overweight and obesity levels among low educated with bridging social capital. Low educated with bonding social capital are more likely to model and experience social support and social norms for healthy behaviour. Besides, social support for physical activity and a healthy diet leads to higher obesity levels. It is recommended to investigate the strength of ties and individual characteristics to understand how mechanisms of the social network, in relation to overweight or obesity, work.