The role of socio-economic factors in food consumption of Portuguese children and adolescents: results from the National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2015-2016

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2020

Authors

Vilela, S (Author) FCNAUP; Muresan, I (Author) Other; Correia, D (Author) FMUP; Severo M (Author) FMUP; Lopes C (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: British Journal of Nutrition

Vol. 124

Pages: 591-601

ISSN: 0007-1145

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 16 Citations

Scopus - 19 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00S-245

DOI: 10.1017/s0007114520001373

Abstract (EN): This study aimed to evaluate the association between socio-economic factors and the food consumption of a young population. Participants were from the Portuguese National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (IAN-AF 2015-2016) aged from 3 to 17 years (n1153). Food consumption was assessed using two non-consecutive days of food diaries in children and two 24-h recalls for adolescents. A latent class analysis (LCA) was used to classify children's socio-economic status (socio-economic composite classification (SCC)), categorised in low, middle or high. The associations between socio-economic variables and food consumption were evaluated through linear or logistic regression models, weighted for the Portuguese population distribution. A positive association was found between belonging to a higher level of SCC and consumption of fruits and vegetables (FV), by children (beta= 2 center dot 4, 95 % CI 1 center dot 1, 3 center dot 8) and by adolescents (beta= 52 center dot 4, 95 % CI 9 center dot 6, 95 center dot 3). A higher SCC, but particularly higher maternal education, was positively associated with consumption of 'white meat, fish and eggs'. Both higher SCC and parental education were positively associated with salty snack consumption in the adolescents' group. In conclusion, children and adolescents with higher educated parents and belonging to a high socio-economic level have a higher daily intake of FV and white meat, fish and eggs. Socio-economic factors play an important role in justifying differences in the food consumption of children and adolescents and must be considered in future interventions. The relationship between higher socio-economic position and salty snack consumption in adolescents needs to be further explored in other populations.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 11