Abstract The most basic axis of a society’s economic and social growth is health, and social capital is a major factor in determining that development. The purpose of this research was to evaluate, among the student body of Iran University of Medical Sciences, the connection that exists between social capital and overall health. This study used a descriptive-analytical approach to cross-sectional research. Students attending the Iran University of Medical Sciences constituted the statistical population. The approach developed by Cochran was used to pick 367 students at random. The demographic information form, two versions of the Delaviz Social Capital Questionnaire (2006), and Goldberg and Hiller’s General Health Questionnaire (1979), served as the data collection tools. Using Cronbach’s alpha test, the reliability of the first two sets of questionnaires was determined to be 0.73 and 0.78, respectively. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, statistical tests, and regression after being loaded into SPSS version 22. It was shown that general health was significantly related to the factors of gender, location of living, and degree of education (p < 0.05). It was shown via the use of regression that there is a statistically significant association between social capital and the two dimensions of group involvement and relationships in networks. These two dimensions had the biggest influence on general health and explained 39% of its variations. The overall health of students was not significantly affected by factors such as age, educational level, or marital status (p > 0.05). It is feasible to improve students’ overall health if social capital is increased, more students are encouraged to participate in group projects, and students’ ties with one another inside and outside their networks are expanded.

Resumo A saúde é o eixo mais básico do desenvolvimento económico e social da sociedade, que é influenciado pelo capital social. O presente estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de investigar a relação entre capital social e saúde pública entre estudantes da Universidade de Ciências Médicas do Irão. A investigação atual foi um estudo descritivo-analítico transversal. A população estatística foram os estudantes da Universidade de Ciências Médicas do Irão; ou seja 367 pessoas foram selecionadas aleatoriamente pelo método de Cochran. Os instrumentos de coleta de dados foram ficha de informações demográficas e dois questionários de capital social de Delaviz (2006) e saúde geral de Goldberg e Hiller (1979), cuja confiabilidade foi obtida por meio do teste alfa de Cronbach de 0,73 e 0,78, respetivamente. Os dados foram digitados no software SPSS-22 e analisados com estatística descritiva e testes estatísticos e de regressão. As seguintes variáveis: sexo, local de residência e escolaridade apresentaram relação significativa com a saúde geral (p < 0,05). Utilizando a regressão entre capital social e saúde pública, foi obtida uma relação estatisticamente significativa, e as duas dimensões de participação de grupo e relações em rede tiveram o maior impacto na saúde pública e revelaram 39% das suas alterações. Não foi observada qualquer relação significativa entre idade, local de estudo e estado civil com a saúde geral dos estudantes (p > 0,05). É possível aumentar a saúde geral dos estudantes através do aumento do capital social e da ênfase no aumento da participação dos estudantes no trabalho de grupo e no aumento das suas relações inter-redes.

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the determinants of socio-economic inequality in the prevalence of short stature and underweight in Iranian children and adolescents. Subjects and methods: This cross-sectional nationwide study was conducted on 36,486 participants, aged 6-18 years. This school-based surveillance (CASPIAN- IV) program and its complementary part on weight disorders evaluation was conducted in urban and rural areas of 30 provinces in Iran. In addition to physical examination, a validated questionnaire was completed from students and their parents. Socio-economic status (SES) was determined using principal component analysis, and was classified in quintile scale. Inequality in the prevalence of underweight and short stature was assessed using concentration (C) index and slop index of inequality (SII) by the Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition method. Results: The prevalence (95% CI) of underweight and short stature at national level was 10.89 (10.55, 11.23) and 4.15 (3.94, 4.38), respectively; it had a downtrend from the lowest to highest SES quintile. Furthermore, the value of C for underweight and short stature was negative, i.e. inequality was in favor of high SES groups. Moreover, the prevalence gap of underweight and short stature in the first and fifth quintiles of SES was 6.58% and 5.80%, respectively. The highest proportion of this gap was explained by living area. In the multiple logistic model, odds of underweight and short stature were significantly lower in individuals with higher SES. Compared to boys, odds of underweight were decreased in girls, whereas odds of short stature were increased in them. Odds of underweight and short stature were increased in participants from rural areas than in urban areas. With increasing age, the odds of underweight and short stature decreased significantly. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that inequality in the prevalence of short stature and underweight was in favor of high SES groups. Moreover, living area was one of the most important determinants that explained this inequality. Therefore, this issue needs to be considered in health promotion policies.

Resumo Objetivo A obesidade infantil se tornou uma preocupação de saúde prioritária em todo o mundo. A situação socioeconômica (SSE) é um de seus principais determinantes. Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a desigualdade socioeconômica com relação à obesidade entre crianças e adolescentes em nível nacional e subnacional no Irã. Métodos Este estudo transversal multicêntrico foi conduzido em 2011-2012 como parte de um programa nacional de vigilância escolar realizado com 40000 alunos, com idade entre 6-18 anos, de áreas urbanas e rurais de 30 províncias do Irã. Utilizando a análise de componentes principais, a SSE dos participantes foi categorizada em quintis. A desigualdade da SSE no excesso de peso foi estimada pelo cálculo da prevalência de excesso de peso (ou seja, sobrepeso, obesidade geral e obesidade abdominal) em todos os quintis da SSE, o índice de concentração (C) e o slope index of inequality (SII). Os determinantes dessa desigualdade foram determinados pela decomposição de Oaxaca-Blinder. Resultados No total, 36529 alunos completaram o estudo (taxa de resposta: 91,32%), dos quais 50,79% eram meninos e 74,23%, habitantes urbanos. A idade média (DP) foi 12,14 (3,36) anos. A prevalência de sobrepeso, obesidade geral e obesidade abdominal foi 11,51%, 8,35% e 17,87%, respectivamente. A SSE com relação a sobrepeso, obesidade e obesidade abdominal foi -0,1, -0,1 e -0,15, respectivamente. O índice C com relação a sobrepeso, obesidade geral e obesidade abdominal foi positivo, o que indica que a desigualdade estava em favor de grupos de baixa SSE. A área de residência, o histórico familiar de obesidade e a idade foram os fatores que mais contribuíram para a desigualdade da prevalência de obesidade observados entre os grupos em SSE mais alta e mais baixa. Conclusão Este estudo fornece informações consideráveis sobre a alta prevalência de excesso de peso em famílias em SSE mais alta em nível nacional e subnacional. Esses achados podem ser usados para comparações internacionais e políticas de saúde, melhorar a programação ao considerar as diferenças em nível subnacional.

Abstract Objective Childhood obesity has become a priority health concern worldwide. Socioeconomic status is one of its main determinants. This study aimed to assess the socioeconomic inequality of obesity in children and adolescents at national and provincial levels in Iran. Methods This multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in 2011-2012, as part of a national school-based surveillance program performed in 40,000 students, aged 6-18-years, from urban and rural areas of 30 provinces of Iran. Using principle component analysis, the socioeconomic status of participants was categorized to quintiles. Socioeconomic status inequality in excess weight was estimated by calculating the prevalence of excess weight (i.e., overweight, generalized obesity, and abdominal obesity) across the socioeconomic status quintiles, the concentration index, and slope index of inequality. The determinants of this inequality were determined by the Oaxaca Blinder decomposition. Results Overall, 36,529 students completed the study (response rate: 91.32%); 50.79% of whom were boys and 74.23% were urban inhabitants. The mean (standard deviation) age was 12.14 (3.36) years. The prevalence of overweight, generalized obesity, and abdominal obesity was 11.51%, 8.35%, and 17.87%, respectively. The SII for overweight, obesity and abdominal obesity was -0.1, -0.1 and -0.15, respectively. Concentration index for overweight, generalized obesity, and abdominal obesity was positive, which indicate inequality in favor of low socioeconomic status groups. Area of residence, family history of obesity, and age were the most contributing factors to the inequality of obesity prevalence observed between the highest and lowest socioeconomic status groups. Conclusion This study provides considerable information on the high prevalence of excess weight in families with higher socioeconomic status at national and provincial levels. These findings can be used for international comparisons and for healthcare policies, improving their programming by considering differences at provincial levels.