(P31-019-23) Weight and Height Discrimination and Access to Health Services in Mexico

Objectives: To analyze the association between weight and height discrimination and access to health services in Mexico

Methods: Data were extracted from The National Discrimination Survey (ENADIS 2017), which is the most recent public survey of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography of Mexico. The sample was probabilistic, stratified, single stage, by conglomerates with 39,101 households representing 84 million people. Access to health services was evaluated using a single item established in ENADIS, 2017: in the last five years, have you been unjustifiably denied medical care or medication? Perceived weight-height discrimination was measured by a single survey item: In the last twelve months, have you been discriminated against because of your weight or height? Sample weights were analyzed by bivariate analysis and logistic regression. Regression models were adjusted for sociodemographic variables and for the most prevalent sources of discrimination.

Results: The perception of weight-height discrimination was 6% in the general population, in older adults 3%, women 6%, and adolescents 7.4%. Perception of weight-height discrimination was associated with twice the possibility of not receiving health care in general population (OR=2.269, 95%CI 1.663-3.154), women (OR=1.932, 95%CI 1.489-2.508 ), and older adults (OR=1.933, 95%CI 1.166-3.204), also the possibility of not receive health care was higher according to, in an adolescent group not found statistical significance.

Conclusions: The perception of weight-height discrimination was a predictor for not receive health care in Mexico. People from vulnerable groups such as elderly people and women who perceive weight discrimination had more ratios for not receive health care.

Funding Sources: No funding