Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-l7hp2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-29T15:02:38.314Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Inequalities in diet and physical activity in Europe

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 2001

Elizabeth Dowler*
Affiliation:
School of Health and Social Studies, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
*
*Corresponding author: Email [email protected]
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

The contribution of food, nutrition and physical activity to inequalities in health across Europe is largely unexplored. This paper summarizes cross sectional survey data on food patterns and nutrient intakes, and briefer data on physical activity, by various indicators of socio-economic status for countries across Europe. Factors are examined which underlie the outcome data seen. These include structural and material conditions and circumstances which contribute to excluding sociodemographic groups from participating in mainstream patterns of living. Trends in social and economic conditions, and their implications for nutritional and physical wellbeing are briefly outlined.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © CABI Publishing 2001

References

1Cornell, J, Milner, P. Editorial. Journal of Public Health Medicine 1996; 18(2): 127–8.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
2Kunst, AE, Groenhof, F, Machenbach, JP. EU Working Group on Socio-economic Inequalities in Health. Mortality by occupational class among men 30–64 years in 11 European countries. Social Science & Medicine 1998; 46: 1459–76.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
3Illsley, R, Svensson, P-G. Health inequities in Europe. Special issue of Social Science and Medicine. 1990; 31(3).Google ScholarPubMed
4Marmot, M, Wilkinson, RG, eds. Social Determinants of Health. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999.Google Scholar
5Machenbach, JP. Socio-economic inequalities in health in the Netherlands: impact of a five year research programme. Br. Med. J. 1994; 309: 1487–91.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
6Benzeval, M, Judge, K, Whitehead, M, eds. Tackling inequalities in health: an agenda for action. London: King's Fund, 1995.Google Scholar
7Dalgren, G, Whitehead, M. Policies and strategies to promote equity in health. Copenhagen: World Health Organization, 1992.Google Scholar
8Gepkens, A, Gunning-Schepers, LJ. Interventions to reduce socio-economic health differences. European Journal of Public Health 1996; 6: 218–26.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
9Coggins, A, Swanston, D, Crombie, H. Physical Activity and Inequalities: a briefing. London: Health Education Authority, 1999.Google Scholar
10Davey Smith, G, Brunner, E. Socio-economic differentials in health: the role of nutrition. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 1997; 56: 7590.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
11Dowler, E, Rushton, C. Diet and Poverty in the UK: Contemporary Research Methods and Current Experience. Review and Annotated Bibliography. Report to the Commit tee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy and Nutrition Task Force, Department of Health, (also published as) London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Public Health and Policy Publication No.11. (ISSN 962 6115), 1994.Google Scholar
12James, WPT, Nelson, M, Ralph, A, Leather, S. The contribution of nutrition to inequalities in health. Br. Med. J. 1997; 314: 1545–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
13Robertson, A, Brunner, E, Sheiham, A. Food is a political issue. In: Marmot, M, Wilkinson, RG, eds. Social Determinants of Health. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999: 179210.Google Scholar
14 In: Köhler, B, Feichtinger, E, Barlösius, E, Dowler, E, eds. Poverty and Food in Welfare Societies. Berlin: Sigma Edition, 1997.Google Scholar
15Robertson, A. WHO tackles food inequalities: Europe's first comprehensive Food and Nutrition Action Plan debate, 8–10 November 1999, Malta. Public Health Nutrition 2000; 3(1): 99101.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
16World Health Organization. The Impact of Food on Public Health. Case for a Food and Nutrition Policy and Action Plan for the WHO European Region 2000–2005. WHO Regional Office for Europe, Working Draft 15 05 2000.Google Scholar
17Dowler, E, Dobson, B. Nutrition and poverty in Europe: an overview. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 1997; 56(1): 5162.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
18Shaw, M, Dorling, D, Gordon, D, Davey Smith, G. The Widening Gap: health inequalities and policy in Britain. Bristol: The Policy Press, 1999.Google Scholar
19Power, C, Bartley, M, Davey Smith, G, Blane, D. Transmission of social and biological risk across the life course. In: Blane, D, Brunner, E, Wilkinson, R, eds. Health and Social Organization: towards a health policy for the twenty-first century. London: Routledge, 1996: 188203.Google Scholar
20Blane, D, Brunner, E, Wilkinson, R, eds. Health and Social Organization: towards a health policy for the twenty-first century. London: Routledge, 1996.Google Scholar
21Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Inquiry into Income and Wealth; Volume 1. (chaired by SirPeter, Barclay) York: Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 1995.Google Scholar
22Shaw, M, Orford, S, Brimblecombe, N, Dorling, D. Widening inequality in mortality between 160 regions of the 15 European countries in the early 1990s. Social Science & Medicine 2000; 50: 1047–58.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
23Lang, T. Food and Nutrition. In: Weil, O, McKee, M, Brodin, M, Oberlé, D, eds. Priorities for Public Health Action in the European Union. Paris: Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy: Société Francaise de Santé Publique, 1999: 138–56.Google Scholar
24Geyer, A, Peter, R. Income, occupational position, qualification and health inequalities – competing risks? (comparing indicators of social status). Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health 2000; 54: 299305.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
25Wheeler, EF. Intra-household food and nutrient allocation. Nutrition Research Reviews 1991; 4: 6981.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
26Dowler, E. Women and Food in Poor Families – Focus for Concern? Focus on Women: Nutrition and Health, National Dairy Council, London 1996Google Scholar
26Dowler, E. Women, food and low income: a cause for concern. Health Visitor 1996; 69(9): 359–61.Google Scholar
27 Statistics in focus: Population and social conditions N 6/1999, in: Bulletin of economic trends in Europe. 07/1999.Google Scholar
28Roos, G, Prättälä, R, FAIR-97-3096 Disparities group (tasks 4 and 5). Disparities in food habits: review of research in 15 European Countries. Helsinki: National Public Health Institute, 1999.Google Scholar
29Trichopoulou, A, Lagiou, P, eds. Methodology for the exploitation of HBS food data and results on food availability in six European countries (DAFNE II). Luxemburg: European Communities, 1998.Google Scholar
30Agudo, A, Pera, G. Vegetable and fruit consumption associated with anthropometric, dietary and lifestyle factors in Spain. EPIC group of spain. Public Health Nutrition 1999; 2(3): 263–71.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
31Prättälä, R. Social Class and Food in the Nordic Countries. In: Feichtinger, E, Köhler, B, eds. Current research into eating practices: contributions of social sciences. Frankfurt Am Main: AGEV Publication Series Vol 10 (Supplement) 1995: 1620.Google Scholar
32Hupkens, CLH, Knibbe, RA, et al. Sociocultural Determinants of Eating and Drinking Habits: an international comparison. In: Feichtinger, E, Köhler, B, eds. Current research into eating practices: contributions of social sciences. Frankfurt Am Main: AGEV Publication Series Vol. 10 (Supplement) 1995: 21–5.Google Scholar
33Hjartåker, A, Lund, E. Relationship between dietary habits, age, lifestyle and socio-economic status among adult Norwegian women. The Norwegian Women and Cancer Study. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1998; 52: 565–2CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
34Finch, S. National diet and nutrition survey people aged 65 years and over Vol. 1. Report of the diet and nutrition survey. London: The Stationery Office, 1998.Google Scholar
35Gregory, JR, Lowe, S, et al. National Diet and Nutrition Survey: young people aged 4–18 years Vol. 1. Report of the diet and nutrition survey. London: The Stationery Office, 2000.Google Scholar
36Gregory, JR, Collins, DL, et al. National Diet and Nutrition Survey: children aged 1.5 to 4.5 years. London: HM Stationery Office, 1995.Google Scholar
37Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. National Food Survey, 1998. Annual Report on Food Expenditure, Consumption and Nutrient Intakes. London: The Stationery Office, 1999.Google Scholar
38Dowler, E, Leather, S. Intake of micronutrients in Britain's poorest fifth has declined. Br. Med. J. 1997; 314: 1412.Google Scholar
39Dowler, E, Calvert, C. Nutrition and Diet in lone-parent Families in london. London: Family Policy Studies Centre for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 1995.Google Scholar
40Dowler, E, Calvert, C. Budgeting for food on state benefits: poor lone parents in the United Kingdom. In: Köhler, B, Feichtinger, E, Barlösius, E, Dowler, E, eds. Poverty and Food in Welfare Societies. Berlin: Sigma Edition, 1997: 307–15.Google Scholar
41Gerbouin-Rérolle, P, Chabeau, L. Food programmes and poor families in a suburb of Paris. In: Köhler, B, Feichtinger, E, Barlösius, E, Dowler, E, eds. Poverty and Food in Welfare Societies. Berlin: Sigma Edition, 1997: 325–35.Google Scholar
42Roux, C, Le Couedic, L, Durand-Gasselin, S, Luquet, FM. Consumption pattern and food attitudes of a sample of 657 low-income people in France. Food Policy 2000; 25: 91103.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
43Lee, P. Nutrient intakes in socially disadvantaged groups in Ireland. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 1990; 49(2): 307–21.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
44Kamensky, J, Zenz, H, Steinmüller, H. Living situation and health of welfare recipients in Germany. In: Köhler, B, Feichtinger, E, Barlösius, E, Dowler, E, eds. Poverty and Food in Welfare Societies. Berlin: Sigma Edition, 1997: 179–85.Google Scholar
45Health Education Authority and Sports Council. Allied Dunbar National Fitness Survey: Main Findings. London: HEA and Sports Council, 1992.Google Scholar
46Hoinville, E. Analysis of combined data from Allied Dunbar National Fitness Survey and Health Education Authority National Survey of Activity and Health. Unpublished. Cited in: Health Education Authority. Health Update 5: Physical Activity. London: Health Education Authority, 1995.Google Scholar
47Health Education Authority. Tomorrow's Young Adults: 9–15 year-olds Look at Alcohol, Drugs, Exercise and Smoking. London: Health Education Authority, 1991.Google Scholar
48Müller, MJ, Koertzinger, I, Mast, M, Langnäse, K, Grund, A. Physical activity and diet in 5 to 7 years old children. Public Health Nutrition 1999; 2(3a): 443–4.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
49Roberts, K. Young people, schools, sport and government policies. Sport, Education and Society 1996; 1: 4757.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
50Sorbal, J, Stunkard, AJ. Socio-economic status and obesity: a review of the literature. Psychological Bulletin 1989; 105(2): 260–75.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
51Martinez, JA, Kearney, JM, Kafatos, A, Paquet, S, MatinezGonzalez, MA. Variables independently associated with selfreported obesity in the European Union. Public Health Nutrition 1999; 2(1a): 125–33.Google Scholar
52Kafatos, A, Manios, Y, et al. Regional, demographic and national influences on attitude and beliefs with regard to physical activity, body weight and health in a nationally representative sample in the European Union. Public Health Nutrition 1999; 2(1a): 8795.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
53Sundquist, J, Johansson, SE. The influence of socioeconomic status, ethnicity and lifestyle on body mass index in a longitudinal study. International Journal of Epidemiology 1998; 27: 5763.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
54Department of Health. Low Income, Food, Nutrition and Health: Strategies for Improvement. A Report from the Low Income Project Team to the Nutrition Task Force. London: Department of Health, 1996.Google Scholar
55Caraher, M, Dixon, P, Lang, T, Carr-Hill, R. Access to healthy foods: part 1. Barriers to accessing healthy foods: differentials by gender, social class, income and mode of transport. Health Education Journal 1998; 57: 191201.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
56Parker, H, with Nelson, M, et al. Low Cost but Acceptable: a minimum income standard for the UK. Bristol: the Policy Press and Zacchaeus Trust for the Family Budget Unit, 1998.Google Scholar
57Piachaud, D, Webb, J. The price of food: missing out on mass consumption. STICERD, London: London School of Economics, 1996.Google Scholar
58Donkin, AJM, Dowler, EA, Stevenson, SJ, Turner, SA. Mapping access to food in a deprived area: the development of price and availability indices. Public Health Nutrition 2000; 3(1): 31–8.Google Scholar
59Skerratt, S, McKie, L. End of the Road: Food access and availability in Upper Loch Torridon and Thurso. Inverness: Highland Health Board (Scotland), 1997.Google Scholar
60Frize, J. Food Access in East London. Report for Health Promotion and Community Involvement, East London and City Health Authority, London, 1999.Google Scholar
61Harrison, M, Hitchman, C, Christie, I, Lang, T. Running on Empty London: Demos, 2001 forthcoming.Google Scholar
62Dobson, B, Beardsworth, A, Keil, T, Walker, R. Diet, Choice and Poverty: social, cultural and nutritional aspects of food consumption among low income families. London: Family Policy Studies Centre for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 1994.Google Scholar
63Barlösius, E. The sociological classification of poverty and lifestyle analysis. In: Köhler, B, Feichtinger, E, Barlösius, E, Dowler, E, eds. Poverty and Food in Welfare Societies. Berlin: Sigma Edition, 1997: 5870.Google Scholar
64Kempson, E, Bryson, A, Rowlingson, K. Hard Times: How poor families make ends meet. London: Policy Studies Institute, 1994.Google Scholar
65Dowler, E. Budgeting for food on a low income: the case of lone parents. Food Policy 1998; 22(5): 405–17.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
66Caraher, M, Dixon, P, Lang, T, Carr-Hill, R. The state of cooking in England: the relationship of cooking skills to food choice. British Food Journal 1999; 101(8): 590609.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
67Caraher, M, Lang, T. Can't cook; won't cook: a review of cooking skills and their relevance to health promotion. International Journal of Health Promotion & Education 1999; 37(3): 89100.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
68Kennedy, L, Ling, M. Nutrition education for low-income groups – is there a role? In: Köhler, B, Feichtinger, E, Barlösius, E, Dowler, E, eds. Poverty and Food in Welfare Societies. Berlin: Sigma Edition, 1997: 349–62.Google Scholar
69Roberts, K, Field, A. Physical Activity: patterns and policy options. In: Sharp, I, ed. Social inequalities in coronary heart disease: opportunities for action. London: The Stationery Office for the National Heart Forum, 1998: 99105.Google Scholar
70Coggins, A, Swanston, D, Crombie, H. Physical Activity and Inequalities: a briefing. London: Health Education Authority, 1999.Google Scholar
71 Eurostat: Bulletin of economic trends in Europe. 7/97.Google Scholar
72Oppenheim, C, Harker, L. Poverty: The Facts. London: Child Poverty Action Group, 1996.Google Scholar
73Dowler, E, Draper, A, Thomas, R, Dobson, B, Nelson, M. Scoping Study for a Proposed Survey of Diet and Nutritional Status in Low-income Households. Report to Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Joint Food Standards and Safety Group. London: MAFF, 10 1998.Google Scholar
74Donovan, N, Street, C, eds. Fit for school: how breakfast clubs meet health, education and childcare needs. London: New Policy Institute with the Kids' Clubs Network, 1999.Google Scholar
75National Food Alliance. Making Links: A Toolkit for Community Food Projects. London: National Food Alliance, (now Sustain), 1999.Google Scholar
76Scottish Community Diet Project. Fair Choice: Newsletter of the Scottish Community Diet Project. Glasgow: Scottish Community Diet Project, 2000 (and earlier).Google Scholar
77McGlone, P, Dobson, B, Dowler, E, Nelson, M. Food projects and how they work. York: York Publishing for Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 1999.Google Scholar
78Johnson, V, Webster, J. Reaching the parts … Community Mapping: Working together to tackle social exclusion and food poverty. London: Sustain; the Alliance for Better Food and Farming, 2000.Google Scholar
79Veit-Wilson, J. Setting adequacy standards: How governments define minimum incomes. Bristol: The Policy Press, 1998.Google Scholar
80Morris, J, Donkin, A, Wonderling, D, Wilkinson, P, Dowler, E. A minimum income for healthy living? European Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 2000; 54: 885–9.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
81Riches, G. Food Banks and the Welfare Crisis. Ottawa: Canadian Council of Social Development, 1986: 16.Google Scholar
82Join-Lambert, MT. Rapport sur les aides existant en France pour l'alimentation des personnes défavorisées. IGAS Rapport 95, Paris, 1995.Google Scholar
83Riches, G. Hunger in Canada: Abandoning the Right to Food. In: Riches, G, ed. First World Hunger: Food Security and Welfare Politics. Basingstoke: Macmillan Press, 1997: 4677.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
84Poppendieck, J. The USA: Hunger in the Land of Plenty. In: Riches, G, ed. First World Hunger: Food Security and Welfare Politics. Basingstoke: Macmillan Press, 1997: 134–64.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
85Riches, G. Hunger, food security and welfare politics. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 1997; 56(1a): 6374.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
86Hawkes, C, Webster, J. Too much and too little? Debates on Surplus food redistribution. London: Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming, 2000.Google Scholar