Associations Between Socio-Economic Status and Child Health: Findings of a Large German Cohort Study

The familial social background of a child can significantly impact their behavior and health. We investigated associations between socio-economic status (SES) and health parameters and behaviors in German children and adolescents. Data were collected between 2011 and 2018 in the framework of the LIFE Child study. Participants included 2998 children aged 3–18 years. SES was represented by an index combining information on parental education, occupation, and income. Associations between SES and health outcomes were estimated using linear and logistic regression analyses. In a moderator analysis, all associations were checked for interactions between SES and age or sex. A higher SES composite score was associated with better health (lower body mass index (β = −0.26), fewer behavioral difficulties (β = −0.18), higher quality of life (β = 0.21), fewer critical life events (odds ratio (OR) = 0.93); all p < 0.05) and a healthier lifestyle (healthier nutrition (β = 0.16), less excessive television use (OR = 0.87), less nicotine consumption (OR = 0.93), and more physical activity (OR = 1.18); all p < 0.05). However, SES was not associated with alcohol consumption (OR = 1.02) or sleep problems (β = −0.04). The strengths of the associations between SES and child health did not differ depending on SES indicator (education, occupation, income). The associations between SES and parent-reported behavioral difficulties and physical activity were stronger in older vs. younger children. In contrast, none of the observed associations were moderated by sex. This study highlights the strong association between socio-economic status and child health, even in modern Western societies.

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Healthy, Wealthy, and Wise: Socioeconomic Status, Poor Health in Childhood, and Human Capital Development

Journal of Economic Literature ◽

10.1257/jel.47.1.87 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 47 (1) ◽

pp. 87-122 ◽

Cited By ~ 625

Author(s):

Janet Currie

Keyword(s):

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Child Health ◽

Parental Education ◽

Economic Status ◽

Labor Market Outcomes ◽

Human Capital Development ◽

Market Outcomes ◽

Capital Development ◽

Parental Socioeconomic Status ◽

And Child Health

There are many possible pathways between parental education, income, and health, and between child health and education, but only some of them have been explored in the literature. This essay focuses on links between parental socioeconomic status (as measured by education, income, occupation, or in some cases area of residence) and child health, and between child health and adult education or income. Specifically, I ask two questions: What is the evidence regarding whether parental socioeconomic status affects child health? And, what is the evidence relating child health to future educational and labor market outcomes? I show that there is now strong evidence of both links, suggesting that health could play a role in the intergenerational transmission of economic status.

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Birth Spacing Influence on Maternal and Child Health in Nigeria

International Journal of Women’s Health Care ◽

10.33140/ijwhc/02/01/00001 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

Keyword(s):

Child Health ◽

Reproductive Health ◽

Maternal And Child Health ◽

Contraceptive Use ◽

Economic Status ◽

Birth Spacing ◽

Reproductive Health Services ◽

Socio Economic Status ◽

Nursing Mothers ◽

And Child Health

The study established the influence of birth spacing on maternal and child health in Nigeria. A total of two hundred (200) nursing mothers that registered with the maternal and child care units of Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospital Complex in Ile-Ife area constituted the sample for the study. Their ages ranged from 20years to 55 years with a mean age of 34.5 years and standard deviation of 6.5. The two instruments used were author-constructed questionnaires with 0.66 and 0.69 reliability coefficient respectively. The data obtained were analyzed using multiple regression and chi-square statistics. The results obtained from the study indicated that, a combination of the six independent variables significantly predicted the dependent variable F= (115.813); R= .703, R2 = .494, Adj. R2 = .489; P<.05). The results also indicated that, significant relationship existed between the health histories (B = 5.755, T =8.844), behavior of individual women (B = 5.575, T = 2.284), utilization of reproductive health services (B = 5.558, T =8.495), family background (B = 5.121, T =10.633), contraceptive use (B= -2.670, T= 10.722) and socio-economic status (B =-2.648, T =6.322) and maternal and child health. The results further showed the significant position between health histories (X2 cal = 33.956) is the most potent factor followed behaviors of the individual women (X2 cal = 29.762); utilization of reproductive health services (X2 cal = 16.986); family backgrounds (X2 cal = 12.716); contraceptive use (X2 cal = 5.969); and socio-economic status (X2 cal = 1.268) and maternal and child health. Based on the results of these findings, it was recommended that nursing mothers should be made to be aware of the inherent dangers of inadequate birth spacing such as increased risk of premature membrane rupture, uteroplacental bleeding disorders, poor health for both the mother and the child, miscarriage or induced abortion and consequently death.

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Socio-Economic Status and Child Health: Does Public Health Insurance Narrow the Gap?

Scandinavian Journal of Economics ◽

10.2307/3440545 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 97 (4) ◽

pp. 603 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Janet Currie

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Insurance ◽

Child Health ◽

Economic Status ◽

Public Health Insurance ◽

Socio Economic Status ◽

And Child Health

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Influence of Physical Activity and Socio-Economic Status on Depression and Anxiety Symptoms in Patients after Stroke

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18158058 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (15) ◽

pp. 8058

Author(s):

Małgorzata Paprocka-Borowicz ◽

Mona Wiatr ◽

Maria Ciałowicz ◽

Wojciech Borowicz ◽

Agnieszka Kaczmarek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Therapy ◽

Economic Status ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Post Stroke ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Socio Economic Status ◽

Treatment Of Depression ◽

Post Stroke Depression ◽

The Impact

Stroke is a high-risk factor for depression. Neurological rehabilitation is greatly difficult and often does not include treatment of depression. The post-stroke depression plays an important role in the progress of treatment, health, and the life of the patient. The appropriate treatment of depression could improve the quality of life of the patient and their family. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of physical activity and socio-economic status of the patient on the effectiveness of recovery from depression and the severity of the symptoms of depression. The study was conducted with 40 patients after stroke aged 42–82 years, and included 10 women and 30 men who were hospitalized for two weeks. The severity of depression/anxiety (D/A) symptoms were evaluated two times; at admission and after two weeks of physical therapy. The hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) questionnaire was used for this purpose. Socio-economic status was evaluated by several simple questions. It was revealed that physical therapy has a positive influence on mental state. The severity of D/A symptoms after stroke is related to the financial status of the patients (2 = 11.198, p = 0.024). The state of health (2 = 20.57, p = 0.022) and physical fitness (2 = 12.95, p = 0.044) changed the severity of symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorders. The kinesiotherapy in the group of patients with post-stroke depression had positive effects; however, economic and health conditions may influence the prognosis of the disease.

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The relationship between socio-economic status, parental support and adolescent physical activity

Acta Paediatrica ◽

10.1080/08035250500323772 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 95 (1) ◽

pp. 93-98 ◽

Cited By ~ 55

Author(s):

Lennart Raudsepp

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Parental Support ◽

Economic Status ◽

Socio Economic Status ◽

Adolescent Physical Activity ◽

The Relationship

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Child health disparities, socio-economic status, and school enrollment decisions: Evidence from German elementary school entrance exams

Neuroeconomics - Advances in Health Economics and Health Services Research ◽

10.1016/s0731-2199(08)20011-7 ◽

2008 ◽

pp. 271-288 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Martin Salm ◽

Daniel Schunk

Keyword(s):

Elementary School ◽

Health Disparities ◽

Child Health ◽

Economic Status ◽

School Enrollment ◽

Enrollment Decisions ◽

Entrance Exams ◽

Socio Economic Status ◽

School Entrance

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What is the impact of socio-economic inequalities on the use of mental health services?

Epidemiologia e Psichiatria Sociale ◽

10.1017/s1121189x00004565 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 16-19 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Francesco Amaddeo ◽

Julia Jones

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Mental Health Services ◽

Health Services ◽

Economic Status ◽

Psychiatric Morbidity ◽

Social Background ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Socio Economic Status ◽

The Impact ◽

Economic Inequalities

AbstractAmartya Sen, who received the Nobel Prize for Economics, has demonstrated that the incidence of deprivation, in terms ofcapability, can be surprisingly high even in the most developed countries of the world. The study of socio-economic inequalities, in relation to the utilisation of health services, is a priority for epidemiological research. Socio-economic status (SES) has no universal definition. Within the international research literature, SES has been related to social class, social position, occupational status, educational attainment, income, wealth and standard of living. Existing research studies have shown that people from a more deprived social background, with a lower SES, are more likely to have a higher psychiatric morbidity. Many studies show that SES influences psychiatric services utilization, however the real factors linking SES and mental health services utilisation remain unclear. In this editorial we discuss what is currently known about the relationship between SES and the use of mental health services. We also make an argument for why we believe there is still much to uncover in this field, to understand fully how individuals are influenced by their personal socio-economic status, or the neighbourhood in which they live, in terms of their use of mental health services. Further research in this area will help clarify what interventions are required to provide greater equality in access to mental health services.

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Management of Child and Adolescent Obesity: Study Design and Practitioner Characteristics

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.110.s1.205 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 110 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. 205-209 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Frederick L. Trowbridge ◽

Denise Sofka ◽

Katrina Holt ◽

Sarah E. Barlow

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Mass Index ◽

Child Health ◽

Body Mass ◽

Nurse Practitioners ◽

Maternal And Child Health ◽

Pediatric Nurse ◽

Attitudes And Practices ◽

Pediatric Nurse Practitioners ◽

And Child Health

Objective. A study was undertaken to examine the attitudes and practices of health care providers in the assessment and treatment of overweight and obese children and adolescents. This study describes the study design and the practice settings and person characteristics of the practitioners included in this study. Methods. A needs assessment questionnaire was developed by a working group consisting of researchers, clinicians, educators, and representatives of the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration (Department of Health and Human Services), National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health, International Life Sciences Institute, and Harris Interactive, Inc. The questionnaire consisted of 35 questions divided into 3 topic areas and was disseminated to a sample of pediatricians (n = 1088), pediatric nurse practitioners (n = 879), and registered dietitians (n = 1652). Results. Despite a low response rate (33% for pediatric nurse practitioners, 27% for registered dieticians, and 19% for pediatricians), descriptive data were obtained about a variety of practitioner characteristics. Some significant differences were observed across practitioner groups and between genders in regard to years in practice, body mass index, and dietary and physical activity behaviors. Significant relationships were also observed in some practitioner groups between body mass index and compliance with dietary and physical activity guidelines. Conclusions. Our data show there is a wide variance in practitioner characteristics, particularly in regard to gender, years of practice, body mass index, and obesity-related behaviors. It is hoped the analyses presented in this and in the subsequent articles will provide useful information on current attitudes and practices and will contribute to improvements in the treatment of overweight children and adolescents.

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Effects of a 2-year healthy eating and physical activity intervention for 3–6-year-olds in communities of high and low socio-economic status: the POP (Prevention of Overweight among Pre-school and school children) project

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980012000687 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 15 (9) ◽

pp. 1737-1745 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Valerie De Coen ◽

Ilse De Bourdeaudhuij ◽

Carine Vereecken ◽

Vera Verbestel ◽

Leen Haerens ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Primary Schools ◽

Physical Activity Intervention ◽

Economic Status ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Eating Behaviour ◽

Total Sample ◽

Low Ses ◽

Socio Economic Status ◽

Profile Control

AbstractObjectiveThe purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a school-based, 2-year, multi-component intervention on BMI, eating and physical activity behaviour in Flanders, Belgium, targeting children aged 3–6 years in communities of high and low socio-economic status (SES).DesignCluster-randomized controlled trial.SettingThirty-one pre-primary and primary schools in three different intervention communities and three paired-matched (on SES profile) control communities in Flanders, Belgium.SubjectsBMI Z-scores at baseline and follow-up were calculated for 1102 children. Questionnaires with sociodemographic data and FFQ were available from 694 of these 1102 children.ResultsNo significant effects were found on BMI Z-scores for the total sample. However, there was a significant decrease in BMI Z-score of 0·11 in the low-SES intervention community compared with the low-SES control community, where the BMI Z-score increased by 0·04 (F = 6·26, P = 0·01). No significant intervention effects could be found for eating behaviour, physical activity or screen-time. There were no significant interaction effects of age and gender of the children on the outcome variables.ConclusionsAlthough no significant effects were found for BMI Z-scores in the total sample, this intervention had a promising effect in the low-SES community of reducing excess weight gain among young children.

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