Psychological, Socioeconomic, and Public Health Determinants of Obesity Among Women
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Psychological, Socioeconomic, and Public Health Determinants of Obesity Among Women
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Obesity Among Women as an Expanding Noncommunicable Disease Challenge
Obesity has acquired chronic status as a public health issue, with a higher occurrence among women, where biological, psychological, and socioeconomic factors intersect with one another, thereby putting health at risk. International and local studies reveal the role of emotional eating, stress, and unequal access to high-quality foods in the increase in obesity cases. The same is happening in Barbados and other countries in the Caribbean region, where weight-related illness has been worsened by environmental and economic factors. Advertisement campaigns in the market can be an effective way of lessening these impacts. This literature review examines three major areas: psychological factors, socioeconomic and environmental factors, and the contribution of awareness campaigns in alleviating obesity among women.
Emotional Eating, Psychological Stress, and Female Obesity
One factor that has had significant implications for obesity among women is emotional eating, which is a critical psychological determinant of obesity. The researchers in the study by Chew et al. found that women are more likely to engage in emotional eating when they are under a great deal of stress and anxiety, resulting in excessive calorie intake and weight gain in the long run (British Journal of Psychology) (484). Another observation made by Ljubicic et al. is that the emotional method of eating is prevalent among European populations; women resort to food rather than alternative healthy coping mechanisms in response to sadness, boredom, and stress (12). Another similar result is presented by Schnettler et al., who established that women in Chile who engage in emotional eating are more likely to experience a recurring association between mood changes and low-quality diets (3). Along with these findings, the World Health Organisation noted that the emotional state of women is closely associated with the occurrence of obesity, with psychological stress contributing to reduced interest in physical activity and healthy foods (Idris, Idayu Badilla, et al. 147). Combinations of these studies indicate the significance of mental health and emotional control as fundamental components of obesity-prevention strategies among women.
Although emotional eating has been established as one of the primary factors contributing to obesity, global comparisons indicate that cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds may influence the occurrence of this phenomenon (Malik and Ahmad 691). Chew et al. established universal emotional triggers, but Ljubicianic et al. indicated that access to food and social norms determine women’s behavioural responses to these triggers. Schnettler et al. focused on the fact that emotional eating in Latin America has been linked to social pressures and a lack of health awareness, while WHO statistics have indicated the same pattern in low- and middle-income countries (4). The synthesis of these findings suggests that although emotional eating patterns are widespread globally, they must still be addressed with consideration for cultural, psychological, and social differences.
Economic Inequality, Food Access, and Environmental Conditions
Socioeconomic disparities have a substantial impact on women’s susceptibility to obesity. Parra Mujica and Candio argue that unequal access to healthy foods is among the consequences of income inequality, creating a structural barrier to obesity prevention (3). The World Health Organization identifies urbanisation and sedentary living as additional contributors to these disparities and states that low-income women are more likely to live in areas where fast-food outlets are common and opportunities for physical activity are limited (Obesity and Overweight) (Idris, Idayu Badilla, et al. 155). Similarly, the World Obesity Federation identified the growing concentration of obesity among poor populations and those with limited educational and employment opportunities (Everybody Needs to Act) (Malik and Ahmad 697). These materials indicate that obesity among women should not be addressed through behavioural changes alone but must also involve policy responses to economic and environmental inequalities.
Comparative evidence shows that this trend is not confined to a specific territory or socioeconomic group. In an effort to reduce health disparities, the Pan American Health Organization documented campaigns across the Americas that applied fiscal and policy solutions (Chef Jamie Oliver) (Malik and Ahmad 691). Other countries, such as Mexico, have imposed taxes on sweetened beverages and improved food labelling, directly addressing some of the primary economic causes of obesity. The World Obesity Federation indicated that these interventions have produced measurable reductions in obesity prevalence among lower-income groups. Meanwhile, Parra Mujica and Candio also pointed out that health inequalities can and should be monitored economically to ensure that policies have a balanced impact (4). Together, these articles demonstrate that multisectoral interventions integrating health education, social justice, and environmental reform are required to address obesity among women.
Health Communication Campaigns and Population-Level Obesity Prevention
Health campaigns and public education are among the most important contemporary measures for addressing obesity. The Pan American Health Organization documented several national programmes across the Americas that promote healthy eating and exercise through multimedia campaigns and school-based interventions (Chef Jamie Oliver) (Idris, Idayu Badilla, et al. 148). According to the World Obesity Federation, programmes such as World Obesity Day have helped increase public interest and awareness concerning nutrition and exercise (Everybody Needs to Act) (Malik and Ahmad 699). Similarly, the WHO has observed that measurable obesity rates in some localities have declined because of sustained media messaging and policy-supported campaigns (Obesity and Overweight). Parra Mujica and Candio affirmed that health promotion must address economic considerations to achieve long-term success (8). These findings demonstrate that strategic communication can encourage behavioural change and create a sense of communal responsibility for healthier living.
The synthesis of these sources reveals that advertisement campaigns are most effective when combined with structural reform. A useful example is Mexico, where policymakers and health advocates have worked collaboratively and demonstrated that implementation supported by continuous education can improve dietary behaviour and reduce obesity rates. Likewise, programmes in Chile involving partnerships between government and businesses have demonstrated how national health behaviour can be restructured through specific messages concerning portion management and physical exercise. Therefore, successful awareness campaigns supported by legislation and equitable access to health facilities can be considered central instruments for reversing obesity trends among women worldwide.
Integrated Strategies for Reducing Obesity Among Women
The outcome of this literature review is the finding that the causes of obesity among women involve complex psychological, socioeconomic, and environmental factors. Problems such as emotional eating, stress responses, and the inability to afford healthy food create long-term challenges for the population. Through policy support and community involvement, awareness campaigns can help women overcome social barriers to wellness. Ultimately, fighting obesity requires collective action at both individual and systemic levels to guarantee sustainable health improvements.
Scholarly and Institutional Sources on Female Obesity
Chew, Han Shi Jocelyn, et al. "The global prevalence of emotional eating in overweight and obese populations: A systematic review and meta‐analysis." British Journal of Psychology 116.2 (2025): 484-498.https://doi.org/10.1111/bjop.12896.
Idris, Idayu Badilla, et al. "A systematic review on noncommunicable diseases among working women." Industrial health 59.3 (2021): 146-160. https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/indhealth/59/3/59_2020-0204/_article/-char/ja/
Ljubičić, Marija, et al. "Emotions and food consumption: emotional eating behavior in a European population." Foods 12.4 (2023): 872., https://doi.org/10.3390/food12040872.
Malik, Zoha Imtiaz, and Abdul Momin Rizwan Ahmad. "Non-communicable disease (NCD) burden and their contributing factors among women." Health Care for Women International 46.6 (2025): 687-701. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07399332.2025.2472174
Mujica, Fiorella Parra, and Paolo Candio. "Taking a health economic perspective in monitoring health inequalities: A focus on excess weight." Health policy 148 (2024): 105144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2024.105144.
Pan American Health Organization. (2016, May 24). Chef Jamie Oliver, several countries in the Americas, and other nations share successful experiences tackling childhood obesity. PAHO News. Retrieved from https://www.paho.org/en/news/24-5-2016-chef-jamie-oliver-several-countries-americas-and-other-nations-share-successful
Schnettler, Berta, et al. "Eating styles profiles in Chilean women: A latent Profile analysis." Appetite 163 (2021): 105211., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2021.105211.
World Health Organization. "Obesity and Overweight." World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/
World Obesity Federation. "Everybody Needs to Act: World Obesity Day Gathers Momentum." World Obesity, 2022, https://www.worldobesity.org/news/everybody-needs-to-act-world-obesity-day-gathers-momentum#:~:text=Community%20activities%20were%20launched%20around,WorldObesityDay%20%23EverybodyNeedsToAct%20and%20%23WOD2022.