Disparities in Preventive Care by Body Mass Index Categories Among Women |
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| Authors: | Ranjana Banerjea PhD Patricia A. Findley DrPH MSW LCSW Usha Sambamoorthi PhD |
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| Affiliation: | 1. School of Social Work, Rutgers University , 536 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901 E-mail: ranjanabanerjea@gmail.com;2. School of Social Work, Rutgers University , 536 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901 E-mail: pfindley@rci.rutgers.edu;3. Department of Psychiatry , University of Massachusetts Medical School , 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA, 01655 E-mail: ushasambamoorthi@gmail.com |
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| Abstract: | ABSTRACT Objective: The present analyses examined the relationship of body mass index (BMI) categories to receiving age-appropriate preventive services among women. Method: Data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (2003, N = 10,954) were analyzed using multiple logistic regressions. Outcomes were: age-appropriate Pap-test, mammography, colorectal, cholesterol and blood pressure screening, and influenza immunization. Results: Overall, 3% of participants were underweight, and 26.3% were obese. Obese women were less likely to receive Pap-tests (p < .01), and underweight women less likely to receive mammography (p < .001). Dental care was less likely across all BMI groups outside the normal weight range. Conclusions: The association between BMI categories and preventive services use varied by type of preventive care. |
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| Keywords: | Cancer screening preventive services MEPS women obesity underweight |
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