Clase social y eventos de salud en niños de escuelas primarias de Coyoacán, Ciudad de México

Abstract

Objectives: To analyze the relationship of social class with risk of obesity, food consumption, physical activity, and mental health among schoolchildren in Mexico City. Material and Methods: A convenience sample (n = 482) of students from six primary schools in Mexico City Coyoacan was studied. The variables of interest were assessed by a questionnaire administered to school children and their guardians. A typology of social class as proposed by Portes was used. The existence of psychological distress and physical activity, physical inactivity, and food consumption among schoolchildren was assessed by inventories. The obesity diagnostic was obtained through anthropometry. Other aspects investigated were the availability of infrastructure for physical activity, perception of public safety in the neighborhood and the experience of household food insecurity. Results: Compared to children of families belonging to the dominant classes, those of subordinated class families (i.e. formal and informal proletariat) had higher rates of physical inactivity and lower rates of adequate physical activity, and higher consumption of foods with high content of fat; in addition, they reported less availability of infrastructure for physical activity, but more often experienced public insecurity and food insecurity. By contrast, the obesity rate was higher among the dominant classes. There were no differences between social classes regarding mental health and physical activity. Conclusions: In the studied population, obesity was higher in the dominant classes; however, there were no inequalities in mental health, despite the lower classes that are more exposed to risk factors. Probably in the future this situation could lead to higher damage to health.