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BACKGROUND: Variable findings have been reported on the contribution of census-based measures of area deprivation over and above that of individual socioeconomic position (SEP) on health outcomes. This study aims to examine the association between residence in a deprived area and health behaviours (diet, smoking and physical inactivity), and how this association is influenced by lifecourse SEP of individuals. DESIGN: A population-based longitudinal study of women aged 60-79 years in 1999-2001 recruited from one general practice in each of 23 British towns. METHODS: Three thousand five hundred twenty-two women were included in the analyses. Area deprivation scores were derived from postcode for residence and lifecourse SEP scores were calculated using 10 individual level indicators of childhood and adult circumstances. To allow direct comparisons of effect of area deprivation and individual SEP, we standardized both measures by generating relative indices of inequality. RESULTS: Both area deprivation and lifecourse SEP were independent predictors of eating fruit and vegetables [odds ratio (OR): 2.87, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.22-3.72; comparing highest with lowest area Index of Multiple Deprivation of inequality (OR: 3.07, 95% CI: 2.33-4.06) for lifecourse SEP index of inequality] and exercise habits (OR: 2.39, 95% CI: 1.86-3.06 area deprivation; OR: 2.7, 95% CI: 2.07-3.51 individual SEP). Area deprivation was a stronger predictor of smoking behaviour (OR: 2.34, 95% CI: 1.91-3.08) than individual lifecourse SEP (OR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.17-1.95). CONCLUSION: Most health behaviours among older women were independently associated with both living in deprived areas and individual lifecourse SEP. This suggests that additional health promotion approaches focusing on improving environments would have potential to improve health behaviour.

Original publication

DOI

10.1097/HJR.0b013e328325d64d

Type

Journal article

Journal

Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil

Publication Date

04/2009

Volume

16

Pages

169 - 173

Keywords

Aged, Cardiovascular Diseases, Diet, Exercise, Female, Health Behavior, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Health Promotion, Health Status Disparities, Health Surveys, Humans, Life Style, Longitudinal Studies, Middle Aged, Odds Ratio, Poverty Areas, Residence Characteristics, Risk Assessment, Risk Factors, Risk Reduction Behavior, Smoking, Social Class, Surveys and Questionnaires, United Kingdom, Women's Health