title: Diminishing or increasing contrasts? Social class variation in Finnish food consumption patterns, 1979-1990.
abstract: The study examines whether social-class-based food consumption patterns changed in Finland during 1979-1990. The data were compiled by the National Public Health Institute in connection with a programme entitled 'Monitoring Health Behaviour among the Finnish Adult Population'. A questionnaire was sent annually to a random sample of Finns (N = 3400-5100, response rate 68-86%). This study was restricted to respondents 25-54 years old. Social class was defined by level of education (low, middle, high). Trends and variations in consumption patterns were studied by cross-tabulations and by fitting logistic regression models. The results show that the proportions of users of butter, high-fat milk and coffee sugar decreased during the study eriod whereas that of regular users of vegetables increased. Since the mid-1980s the shift towards 'healthier' food choices has accelerated among men, yet women are consistently more health-oriented. Social class appears to be a significant determinant of food consumption patterns. Men and women of lower social class follow trends set by upper social classes with a time lag of about ten years. Along with an overall shift towards observance of dietary recommendations, social class differences in Finnish food consumption patterns have diminished, without, however, disappearing altogether.
authors.affiliation: LEL Employment Pension Fund, Health Research Department, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Prättälä
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Puska
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004522:Educational Status; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012923:Social Class; D013997:Time Factors