Behavioural and sociodemographic correlates of obesity: a multiregional mixed-methods analysis of primary data from Mongolia

Thesis

This thesis examines the associations between sociodemographic characteristics, dietary behaviours, and obesity in contemporary Mongolia. A mixed-methods design was employed, combining structured and semi-structured interviews with both qualitative and quantitative analyses, to evaluate how dietary practices influence body weight across rural, urban, and peri-urban participants. Comparisons were made between rural nomads, urban residents, and peri-urban participants, the latter group comprising a substantial proportion of internal rural-to-urban migrants.

In addition to dietary practices, the analysis incorporated sociodemographic variables such as occupational status and local food environments, and examined intergenerational differences. In Ulaanbaatar, peri-urban men demonstrated higher mean body mass index (BMI, kg/m²) compared with other participant groups, although this difference was not statistically significant. By contrast, rural-to-urban migrants exhibited significantly higher BMI, with overweight and obesity more prevalent in this cohort than among non-migrants.

Regional variation in dietary behaviours was evident, particularly in relation to seasonal food consumption, meal frequencies, and cooking practices. Behaviours such as commensality and meal frequency were more strongly associated with regional and environmental factors than with age, indicating that occupational demands, lifestyle patterns, and local food environments exert greater influence on eating practices than generational differences.

The study underscores the multifaceted relationship between sociodemographic factors and dietary practices, indicating that migration, regional food environments, and occupational conditions are central to understanding obesity in contemporary Mongolia. Although 2 statistically significant associations were limited, the results provide valuable evidence on contextual influences shaping dietary behaviours and body weight. These findings offer a meaningful basis for policy-makers and public health practitioners in developing targeted strategies to address obesity across heterogeneous sociogeographical settings. 

Authors: Kanno, K

• DOI: 10.5287/ora-gaqdbdobw
• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: Obesity; body mass index (BMI); dietary patterns; nutritional behaviours; sociodemographic determinants; regional food environments; internal migration; rural-tourban migration; meal frequency; public health nutrition