Pathways to obesity in a developing population: The Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study

developing societies, because poor early life conditions could increase the risk of obesity in a subsequently more socio-economically developed environment. In a recently developing population (from southern China) we examined the association of life-course socio-economic position (SEP) with obesity. Methods In a cross-sectional study of 9998 adults from the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study (phase 2) examined in 2005–06, we used multivariable linear regression to assess the association of SEP at three life stages (proxied by parental possessions, education and longest held occupation) with obesity [body mass index (BMI) and waist–hip ratio (WHR)] in men and women. Results There was no evidence that socio-economic position trajectory had supra-additive effects on BMI or WHR. Instead in women, higher SEP at any life stage usually contributed to lower BMI and WHR; e.g. women with higher early adult SEP had lower BMI [0.45; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.71 to 0.19) and WHR (0.02; 95 % CI 0.02 to 0.012]. In contrast, in men, higher childhood SEP was associated with higher BMI (0.53; 95 % CI 0.1