scholarly journals Disparities in food habits across Europe

2002 ◽  
Vol 61 (4) ◽  
pp. 553-558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonia Trichopoulou ◽  
Androniki Naska ◽  
Tina Costacou ◽  

Socially-and culturally-patterned differences in food habits exist both between and within European populations. Daily individual food availability data, collected through the national household budget surveys (HBS) and harmonized in the context of the Data Food Networking (DAFNE) project, were used to assess disparities in food habits of seven European populations and to evaluate dietary changes within a 10-year interval. The availability of selected food items was further estimated according to the educational level of the household head and, based only on the Greek HBS data, according to quintiles of the household's food purchasing capacity. Results for overall food availability support the north-south differentiation in food habits. Generally, the availability of most food items, including foods such as vegetable fats, animal lipids and sugar products, has decreased over the 10 years. Households in which the head was in the higher education categories reported lower availability for most food items, with the exception of low-fat milk, fresh fruit, animal lipids and soft drinks; the latter showing a sharp increase even within southern European households. The household's food purchasing capacity can be used as an indicator of socio-economic status, with higher values being associated with lower status. Greek households of lower social class follow a healthier diet in terms of greater availability of vegetable oils, fresh vegetables, legumes, fish and seafood. Data from the DAFNE databank may serve as a tool for identifying and quantifying variation in food habits in Europe, as well as for providing information on the socio-economic determinants of food preferences.

2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 1919-1926 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina Seiluri ◽  
Eero Lahelma ◽  
Ossi Rahkonen ◽  
Tea Lallukka

AbstractObjectiveTo examine absolute socio-economic differences in food habits and their changes over time.DesignA longitudinal study using the cohort baseline mail surveys conducted in 2000–2002 (n 8960, response rate 67 %) and the follow-up in 2007 (n 7332, response rate 83 %), including data on seven food habits recommended in the national dietary guidelines, as well as socio-economic and sociodemographic variables.SettingData from the Helsinki Health Study survey, followed up for 5–7 years.SubjectsMunicipal employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland.ResultsApart from fish and vegetable-based margarine on bread, the proportions of the recommended food items were higher for women than for men. The consumption of the recommended food items either increased or remained stable over the follow-up period. On the basis of the slope index of inequality (SII) it was observed that socio-economic differences widened with regard to the consumption of fresh vegetables and fish and use of vegetable-based margarine or oil in cooking, with the upper classes consuming these foods more often. The largest differences were observed in the consumption of fresh vegetables, for which the SII value among women was 2·38 (95 % CI 1·93, 2·95) at baseline and 2·47 (95 % CI 2·01, 3·03) at follow-up, and 3·36 (95 % CI 1·80, 6·28) and 3·47 (95 % CI 1·95, 6·19) for men, respectively. Socio-economic differences were non-existent for milk, and the reverse was observed for dark bread and vegetable-based margarine on bread.ConclusionsConsumption of the recommended food items increased in the examined cohort over time. This increase was mostly similar throughout the socio-economic groups and thus the socio-economic differences remained stable. The upper classes followed the guidelines better with regard to the consumption of vegetables and fish and in the use of vegetable-based margarine or oil in cooking.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Feyisayo A Odunitan-Wayas ◽  
Kufre J Okop ◽  
Robert VH Dover ◽  
Olufunke A Alaba ◽  
Lisa K Micklesfield ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To identify factors associated with food purchasing decisions and expenditure of South African supermarket shoppers across income levels. Design: Intercept surveys were conducted, grocery receipts collated and expenditure coded into categories, with each category calculated as percentage of the total expenditure. In-supermarket food quality audit and shelf space measurements of foods such as fruits and vegetables (F&V) (healthy foods), snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) (unhealthy foods) were also assessed. Shoppers and supermarkets were classified by high-, middle- and low-income socio-economic areas (SEA) of residential area and location, respectively. Shoppers were also classified as “out-shoppers” (persons shopping outside their residential SEA) and “in-shoppers” (persons shopping in their residential SEA). Data were analysed using descriptive analysis and ANOVA. Setting: Supermarkets located in different SEA in urban Cape Town. Participants: Three hundred ninety-five shoppers from eleven purposively selected supermarkets. Results: Shelf space ratio of total healthy foods v. unhealthy foods in all the supermarkets was low, with supermarkets located in high SEA having the lowest ratio but better quality of fresh F&V. The share expenditure on SSB and snacks was higher than F&V in all SEA. Food secure shoppers spent more on food, but food items purchased frequently did not differ from the food insecure shoppers. Socio-economic status and food security were associated with greater expenditure on food items in supermarkets but not with overall healthier food purchases. Conclusion: Urban supermarket shoppers in South Africa spent substantially more on unhealthy food items, which were also allocated greater shelf space, compared with healthier foods.


2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 1197-1205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Bryant ◽  
Pinki Sahota ◽  
Gillian Santorelli ◽  
Andrew Hill

AbstractObjectiveKnowledge of the types and quantities of foods and drinks available in family homes supports the development of targeted intervention programmes for obesity prevention or management, or for overall diet improvement. In the UK, contemporary data on foods that are available within family homes are lacking. The present study aimed to explore home food and drink availability in UK homes.DesignAn exploratory study using researcher-conducted home food availability inventories, measuring all foods and drinks within the categories of fruits, vegetables, snack foods and beverages.SettingBradford, a town in the north of the UK.SubjectsOpportunistic sample of mixed ethnicity families with infants approximately 18 months old from the Born in Bradford birth cohort.ResultsAll homes had at least one type of fruit, vegetable and snack available. Fresh fruits commonly available were oranges, bananas, apples, satsumas and grapes. Commonly available fresh vegetables included potatoes, cucumber, tomatoes and carrots. The single greatest non-fresh fruit available in homes was raisins. Non-fresh vegetables contributing the most were frozen mixed vegetables, tinned tomatoes and tinned peas. Ethnic differences were found for the availability of fresh fruits and sugar-sweetened beverages, which were both found in higher amounts in Pakistani homes compared with White homes.ConclusionsThese data contribute to international data on availability and provide an insight into food availability within family homes in the UK. They have also supported a needs assessment of the development of a culturally specific obesity prevention intervention in which fruits and vegetables and sugar-sweetened beverages are targeted.


2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Helle Hare-Bruun ◽  
Birgit M Nielsen ◽  
Peter L Kristensen ◽  
Niels C Møller ◽  
Per Togo ◽  
...  

2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Wills ◽  
Kathryn Backett-Milburn ◽  
Sue Gregory ◽  
Julia Lawton

This paper examines how young teenagers living in socio-economically disadvantaged families perceive everyday food and eating practices within the home. From in-depth interviews with 36 Scottish teenagers aged 13-14 years, we analysed teenagers’ accounts of contemporary ‘family meals’. We found that food and eating practices were negotiated amidst complex family arrangements with extended, resident and non-resident kin. Parents were often reported to provide food ‘on demand’, a flexible arrangement which seemed to reflect both teenagers’ and parents’ lifestyles and personal relationships. Teenagers often contested the consumption of particular foods which sometimes reflected and reinforced their relationship with a biological or non-biological parent. Teenagers could differentiate themselves from others through their food preferences and tastes and food consumption therefore helped shaped their identity. Many teenagers claimed that parents set rules regarding food and eating, thereby creating boundaries within which their consumption choices had to remain. We discuss whether and how these findings are a reflection of the socio-economic status of the participating families and conclude that exploring food and eating practices is a powerful lens for the examination of family life.


1995 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
VIRENDRA S. GOHIL ◽  
MOUSA A. AHMED ◽  
RON DAVIES ◽  
RICHARD K. ROBINSON

A survey of 1,101 samples of retail food items in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) covering dairy products, fresh vegetables, fresh/frozen meat and poultry and a range of “ready-to-eat” meals indicated that the incidence of Listeria monocytogenes was, in general, extremely low. Only in imported frozen chicken was L. monocytogenes detectable with a high degree of frequency, but fresh chicken and semi-processed meats of local origin were also contaminated. No indication of the number of organisms present in any given sample was sought, but as all the suspect foods would have been cooked prior to consumption, risks to the consumer should have been minimal. Listeria was not found in any “ready-to-eat” meals, including those made from chicken. Although Listeria innocua and Listeria welshimeri were detected in some retail foods, these species are normally regarded as being of little consequence with respect to public health.


2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 315-331
Author(s):  
Salyha Zulfiqar Ali Shah ◽  
Imran Sharif Chaudhry ◽  
Fatima Farooq

The Households having low socio-economic status possess less resource in term of wealth and income to resist against any kind of external shocks. Apart from heath shocks (physical and mental disabilities) there are numerous other factors that force them to follow subsistence life style having low per capita income. A primary level data has been collected to examine the socio economic status of households in Southern Punjab for the year 2019.The findings show that household size, occupation, dependency ratio, mental disability and physical disability are negatively affecting economic development across the region. However, age, education of the household head, own house, spouse ‘s participation, remittances, number of earners in the household and value of physical assets are increasing economic development in Southern Punjab. Developing strategies, adequate planning and their timely implementation is very crucial for the government to pursue the process of economic growth and development of the poor countries like Pakistan.


2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 345-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zain A Malkawi ◽  
Reem S Tubaishat

ABSTRACT Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate women's oral hygiene knowledge, practice, and use of dental services during pregnancy in the north of Jordan. Materials and methods Voluntary sample of 154 pregnant women of 18 to 40 years old were invited to participate in the study. They were asked to read a self-designated questionnaire and a cover letter which explained the purpose of the study. The questionnaire addressed self-reported demographics, knowledge, practice and use of dental services during pregnancy. Data were statistically analyzed using Chi-square test to determine statistically significant differences across knowledge, practice and use of dental services during pregnancy. Results The sample included 29.3% aged 20 to 24 years old; 33.1% having bachelor degree; and 66.9% were housewives. The majority of study sample 68.2% knew they need dental consultation during pregnancy; however, 39.5% received dental consultation during pregnancy. Majority 62.4% brushed their teeth regularly; however, 73.2% does not use auxiliary dental hygiene devices. Majority 44.5% visited dentist, when they feel pain. Statistically significant association were found between educational level and knowledge about need to dental consultation during pregnancy (p = 0.012); educational level and knowledge about link between pregnancy and periodontal diseases (p = 0.01); and economic status and use of auxiliary dental hygiene devices during pregnancy (p = 0.040). Conclusion Pregnant women brushed their teeth regularly and visited dentist occasionally. Income was significantly associated with increase use of auxiliary dental hygiene devices. Educational level was significantly associated with mothers’ knowledge about the need for consultation and possible link between pregnancy and periodontal diseases. How to cite this article Malkawi ZA, Tubaishat RS. Knowledge, Practice and Utilization of Dental Services among Pregnant Women in the North of Jordan. J Contemp Dent Pract 2014;15(3):345-351.


2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (9) ◽  
pp. 105-112
Author(s):  
Unnikrishnan P ◽  
S Bhuvaneswari

The entrepreneurs play an important role in the economic and social development of the nation. Women entrepreneurs are also giving a partial role in this field. Now a day, society gives a better socio economic status to women. The State and Central Government has been introduced various schemes and empowerment programs to promote them to sustain in good working conditions of women enterprise. At present, the number of women entrepreneurs in Kerala is low. If the Government takes necessary promotional measures, the number will rise into an indefinite in future and they can contribute much for the entrepreneurial growth of Kerala. Mostly the women are producing home need items, and this type of essentials & food items. These opportunities can be further applied for the growth of Kerala’s entrepreneurship and the future of women entrepreneur will be an asset for the growth of our state. This study helps to find out the various problems faced by women Entrepreneurs in Malappuram District. The details are directly collected from women entrepreneurs to observe their problems.


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