Does Sex-Obesity Intersectionality Play a Role in Labor Inactivity? Results From the Brazilian National Health Survey.

Abstract

To investigate the association between sex-obesity intersection and labor inactivity and whether education modifies this relationship in a national health survey. Cross-sectional study using the database of 43,456 participants from the Brazilian National Health Survey. Logistic Regression analyses were performed. To be women with or without obesity was associated with higher frequency of labor inactivity in comparison to non-obese men. Among men, only those with central obesity had a higher rate of inactivity than non-obese men, especially those with incomplete elementary school. The double burden of judgment (sexism and fatphobia) suffered by obese women can lead to socioeconomic inequalities which may strength poorness and/or exclusion. Thus, there are urgent measures for empowerment and equity in the labor market.