Social determinants of dietary habits in Denmark (original) (raw)
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- Published: 25 October 2001
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 55, pages 959–966 (2001)Cite this article
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Abstract
Objective: To investigate whether there is an association between socioeconomic status and a healthy diet, taking the possible influence of other social variables such as age, gender, income and household composition into consideration.
Design: Cross-sectional study.
Setting: Nationwide study in Denmark, 1995.
Subjects: Random sample from the civil registration system. A total of 852 men and 870 women aged 18-80 y participated, a response rate of 58%.
Interventions: A 7 day estimated dietary record was used to obtain information about the diet. Information about social background was gained through face-to-face interview.
Results: The intake of fruit and vegetables and the percentage energy (E%) from fat in the diet were significantly associated with the educational level of both men and women. For men with only basic schooling, the mean intake of vegetables and fat was 84 g/10 MJ and 41 E% respectively. Men with long higher education had a mean intake of 119 g/10 MJ of vegetables and 37 E% of fat. For women, the corresponding figures for the intake of vegetables and fat were 131 g/10 MJ and 38 E% and 175 g/10 MJ and 37 E%, respectively. For women, age, income and household composition were also significantly associated with the intake of fruit and vegetables.
Conclusions: Education seems to be the most important social variable to explain social differences in dietary habits. Additional variables are needed to explain dietary habits of women. Differences are seen for both foods and nutrients.
Sponsorship: The data analysis was financially supported by the Health Insurance Fund.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2001) 55, 959–966
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Acknowledgements
The computer programme for the one-way analysis of variances that took into account the fixed strata by gender and age was developed by Bo V Pedersen at Statcon, Copenhagen. Associate professor Hans Kurt Kvist, Copenhagen School of Business, assisted in developing the programme and the procedure for the univariate analysis.
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Author notes
- MV Groth: Guarantor: MV Groth.
- MV Groth, S Fagt and L Brøndsted: Contributors: MVG was responsible for the design and conduct of the dietary survey, plan of data analysis, performed the univariate analysis and wrote the manuscript. SF was responsible for the design and conduct of the dietary survey and contributed substantially to the manuscript. LB was responsible for the multivariate regression analysis and contributed substantially to the manuscript.
Authors and Affiliations
- Department of Social Medicine and Psychosocial Health, Institute of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
MV Groth - Danish Veterinary and Food Administration, Institute of Food Research and Nutrition, Copenhagen, Denmark
MV Groth & S Fagt - Department of Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
L Brøndsted
Authors
- MV Groth
- S Fagt
- L Brøndsted
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Correspondence toMV Groth.
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Groth, M., Fagt, S. & Brøndsted, L. Social determinants of dietary habits in Denmark.Eur J Clin Nutr 55, 959–966 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601251
- Received: 19 February 2000
- Revised: 25 April 2001
- Accepted: 28 April 2001
- Published: 25 October 2001
- Issue date: 01 November 2001
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601251