Does social class predict diet quality?
- PMID: 18469226
- DOI: 10.1093/ajcn/87.5.1107
Does social class predict diet quality?
Abstract
A large body of epidemiologic data show that diet quality follows a socioeconomic gradient. Whereas higher-quality diets are associated with greater affluence, energy-dense diets that are nutrient-poor are preferentially consumed by persons of lower socioeconomic status (SES) and of more limited economic means. As this review demonstrates, whole grains, lean meats, fish, low-fat dairy products, and fresh vegetables and fruit are more likely to be consumed by groups of higher SES. In contrast, the consumption of refined grains and added fats has been associated with lower SES. Although micronutrient intake and, hence, diet quality are affected by SES, little evidence indicates that SES affects either total energy intakes or the macronutrient composition of the diet. The observed associations between SES variables and diet-quality measures can be explained by a variety of potentially causal mechanisms. The disparity in energy costs ($/MJ) between energy-dense and nutrient-dense foods is one such mechanism; easy physical access to low-cost energy-dense foods is another. If higher SES is a causal determinant of diet quality, then the reported associations between diet quality and better health, found in so many epidemiologic studies, may have been confounded by unobserved indexes of social class. Conversely, if limited economic resources are causally linked to low-quality diets, some current strategies for health promotion, based on recommending high-cost foods to low-income people, may prove to be wholly ineffective. Exploring the possible causal relations between SES and diet quality is the purpose of this review.
Comment in
-
Social class and diet quality.Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 Oct;88(4):1177-8; author reply 1178-9. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/88.4.1177. Am J Clin Nutr. 2008. PMID: 18842810 No abstract available.
Similar articles
-
Lower-energy-density diets are associated with higher monetary costs per kilocalorie and are consumed by women of higher socioeconomic status.J Am Diet Assoc. 2009 May;109(5):814-22. doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2009.02.002. J Am Diet Assoc. 2009. PMID: 19394467 Free PMC article.
-
Dietary Patterns and Growth, Size, Body Composition, and/or Risk of Overweight or Obesity: A Systematic Review [Internet].Alexandria (VA): USDA Nutrition Evidence Systematic Review; 2020 Jul. Alexandria (VA): USDA Nutrition Evidence Systematic Review; 2020 Jul. PMID: 35129906 Free Books & Documents. Review.
-
Poverty and obesity: the role of energy density and energy costs.Am J Clin Nutr. 2004 Jan;79(1):6-16. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/79.1.6. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004. PMID: 14684391 Review.
-
Less-energy-dense diets of low-income women in California are associated with higher energy-adjusted diet costs.Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Apr;89(4):1220-6. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.2008.26916. Epub 2009 Feb 18. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009. PMID: 19225114
-
Low-energy-density diets are associated with higher diet quality and higher diet costs in French adults.J Am Diet Assoc. 2007 Jun;107(6):1028-32. doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2007.03.013. J Am Diet Assoc. 2007. PMID: 17524726
Cited by
-
Investigating the Sociodemographic and Health Characteristics of Non-Sugar Sweeteners Consumption in Greek School-Aged Children: A Cross-Sectional Study.Children (Basel). 2024 Jul 2;11(7):813. doi: 10.3390/children11070813. Children (Basel). 2024. PMID: 39062262 Free PMC article.
-
The association between ultra-processed food consumption and health-related quality of life differs across lifestyle and socioeconomic strata.BMC Public Health. 2024 Jul 22;24(1):1955. doi: 10.1186/s12889-024-19351-7. BMC Public Health. 2024. PMID: 39039502 Free PMC article.
-
A sustainable and healthy diet: Personality, motives, and sociodemographics.Heliyon. 2024 May 15;10(10):e31326. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31326. eCollection 2024 May 30. Heliyon. 2024. PMID: 38818180 Free PMC article.
-
Diaper need in the United States: A nationally representative study during the COVID-19 pandemic.Heliyon. 2024 May 16;10(10):e31344. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31344. eCollection 2024 May 30. Heliyon. 2024. PMID: 38807893 Free PMC article.
-
Sociodemographic and Lifestyle Characteristics Associated with Maternal Dietary Patterns in Mexico.Nutrients. 2024 May 11;16(10):1451. doi: 10.3390/nu16101451. Nutrients. 2024. PMID: 38794689 Free PMC article.
Publication types
MeSH terms
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Research Materials