Socioeconomic inequalities in nutrition among adults in Belgium

Details

Supervisors

Berger, Nicolas ; Ghattas, Jinane

Faculty

Faculté de santé publique

Degree label

Master [120] en sciences de la santé publique, à finalité spécialisée

Abstract

Background: During the last decades, health inequalities have drawn interest in the policy-making and academic research. The social determinants contribute to fifty percent of heath of individuals and population. Diet and physical activity are factors contributing to socioeconomic inequalities in health. The diet quality of an individual is better when its socioeconomic position is higher. The purpose of this work was to (1) evaluate the best indicators in the monitoring of social inequalities in nutrition, and (2) study the adherence to the dietary recommendations by social determinants among adults from 18 to 64 years old in Belgium. - Methods: A scoping review in social inequalities in nutrition across high-income countries was carried out to determine the relevant indicators to use in the next nutrition monitoring. Then, a measure of the adherence to the Belgian dietary recommendations to vegetables, fruits, processed meat, fish, sugary drinks and alcohol by gender, age group and five socioeconomic variables (highest education level of the household, occupation, country of birth, food insecurity and ability to make ends meet considering monthly household income) was examined with the data from the last Belgian food consumption survey that took place in 2022-2023. The evaluation was performed with univariate and multivariate logistic regressions in the program RStudio. - Results: Adherence to the dietary recommendations for vegetables, fruits and sugary drink was higher among individuals living in household with higher education level. Participants who expressed food insecurity were less likely to adhere to the dietary recommendations for vegetables and sugary drinks. Women, compared to men, have a better diet quality regarding sugary drinks and alcohol. Older adults (40-64 years old) were more likely to adhere to the dietary recommendations for sugary drinks. No significant association were found between occupation and ability to make ends meet considering monthly households regarding diet quality, although strong association with several nutritional variables were observed. - Conclusions: There is an association between the diet quality and socioeconomic determinants. As the magnitude of diet inequalities may vary by the socio-economic indicators used, it is important to monitor with multiple indicators. four key dimensions of inequality should be included, which are the economic status, education, gender and urban/rural residence. Migration status, religion and other minority status may also be relevant variables to consider in future surveys. This work highlights the need to develop policies to reduce socioeconomic inequalities in nutrition. Improving the diet quality among the disadvantaged is likely to lead to the reduction of inequalities in other health outcomes.