Assessing the relationship between income inequality and obesity among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic

The prevalence of childhood obesity has likely increased in Canada as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, as significant increases in body weight and BMI during lockdown periods among school-aged children and adolescents have been found. Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern in Canada, as it contributes to the early development of conditions like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, resulting in significant resource strains on the Canadian health care system. While the causes of childhood obesity are multifactorial, there is an understanding that the social environment plays an important role in the development of obesity. Income inequality, or the unequal gap between rich and poor, is a social determinant of population health that is associated with increased rates of obesity in developed countries. Possible mechanisms through which income inequality may influence childhood obesity include the exacerbation of mental health conditions, like depression, and/or the weakening of social cohesion, both of which are risk factors for obesity. This research seeks to determine if income inequality is a risk factor for increased odds of obesity among Canadian adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, it will determine if the association is mediated by mental health conditions and social cohesion. Findings from this research will help identify the relationship between income inequality and adolescent obesity during the pandemic, which in turn, can be used to guide policy and intervention decisions regarding childhood obesity in Canada.