Abstract
Background: Diabetes type 2 is the fastest growing non-communicable endocrine disease affecting over 830 million people globally. Diabetes complications include cardiovascular and renal disorders, loss of vision and foot amputations. Obesity is a complex chronic disease defined by excessive fat deposits which negatively impact health and the main risk factor of diabetes type 2. Similarly to diabetes type 2, prevalence of obesity shows a negative increasing trend. Obesity in adults has doubled since 1990, and fourfold in children and adolescents. According to several research studies, both obesity and diabetes type 2 have the same social determinants as social and socio-economic deprivation, isolation, low level of education and unhealthy eating habits.
Aim: The aim of this research is to examine the role of socio-economic deprivation in an increasing trend and prevalence of obesity and diabetes type 2 among people aged 16+ in England and Sweden, based on the routine epidemiological data for 2021-2024 years.
Methods: A statistical analysis is based on 61 England counties & unitary authorities, of these 16 counties relate to the most and second most deprived areas of England, and 15 to the least and second least ones. By simple random sampling technique 31 counties & unitary authorities were randomly picked for the analysis. Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient and multiple regression analyses were used to investigate possible associations, their strength and direction between the prevalence of diabetes, socio-economic deprivation, obesity and daily fruit and vegetables consumption. Data on four health indicators were retrieved from the England’s electronic database – Public Health Profiles. For Sweden, seven health indicators reflecting the prevalence of diabetes, obesity, economic standard and level of daily fruit, berries and vegetables intake, according to socio-economic area type and income quantile were extracted from the Swedish Public Health Database. A comparative analysis and visual presentation of results were implemented for Sweden.
Findings: For both countries, positive associations were revealed between socio-economic deprivation, prevalence of obesity and diabetes type 2. In addition to this, the overall low consumption of fruit and vegetables was detected in low-income areas, with socio-economic challenges. This research showed that the prevalence of obesity and diabetes type 2 is increasing, and conversely, daily fruit and vegetables consumption is decreasing with the increase in deprivation level of area. The results of the statistical analysis for England showed high statistical significance and a strong level of associations revealed.
Conclusion: In conclusion, the analysis of the routine epidemiological data for 2021-2024 years in England and Sweden showed that socio-economic deprivation is associated with higher prevalence of diabetes type 2 and obesity among people aged 16+ in both countries. Increase in a deprivation level has linear relationships with the prevalence of obesity and diabetes type 2. Additionally, areas with higher deprivation status, prevalence of obesity and diabetes type 2 demonstrate lower daily consumption of fruits and vegetables compared to areas with good socio-economic conditions. Overall, socio-economic deprivation plays a significant role in increasing trends for both obesity and diabetes type 2.
Funding: No funding was provided for this article, and the author has nothing to declare.