LOW socioeconomic status is tied to a higher prevalence of hypertension and obesity, but a lower prevalence of diabetes and dyslipidaemia, according to a 2026 nationwide cross-sectional Chinese study.
Significant gender differences were also reported.
Socioeconomic Status is a Key Determinant of Metabolic Health
Metabolic diseases remain a rapidly developing global health burden, researchers reported. It has also been previously established as a key determinant of metabolic health.
Authors analysed data from a nationwide community-based cross-sectional study in China, with more than 200,000 participants. They used three indicators of socioeconomic status: educational attainment, living conditions, and marital status.
Classification of socioeconomic status was ranked numerically across a range of zero to three, with higher scores indicating higher status. Chronic diseases were diagnosed through standard clinical assessment and biochemical testing.
Lower Socioeconomic Status was Tied to Lower Odds of Diabetes Overall
Overall, the lowest socioeconomic status cohort had an 87.1% higher prevalence of metabolic diseases than the highest group.
When broken down, a decrease in socioeconomic status score by one point was linked to an approximate 10% increase in odds of both hypertension and obesity. Alternatively, overall, lower socioeconomic status scores were associated with around 7% and 3% lower odds of dyslipidaemia and diabetes, respectively.
Gender Differences were Significant
Researchers reported gender-specific variations in associations between socioeconomic status and metabolic diseases.
In women, lower socioeconomic status scores showed stronger ties to an increased prevalence of obesity and hypertension. However, in men, they were linked to a decreased risk of diabetes, dyslipidaemia, and obesity.
Clinical Implications for Metabolic Care
Authors emphasised the importance of clinicians comprehensively accounting for socioeconomic status, to provide tailored interventions for metabolic diseases.
They submitted: “These findings emphasise that is crucial to narrow the socioeconomic inequalities in metabolic diseases in China, and individualised interventions are warranted in men and women.”
Reference
Zhang M et al. Association between socioeconomic status and the prevalence of metabolic diseases: a nationwide cross-sectional study in China. Diabetes. 2026;DOI:10.1111/1753-0407.70222.
Featured image: Hyejin Kang on Adobe Stock
