The lack of social gradient of health behaviors and psychosocial factors in Northern Italy.
OBJECTIVE
To examine inequalities in health behaviors and psychosocial factors in Northern Italy.


METHODS
The study was based on a computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) of 4 002 non-institutionalized adults living in the Veneto region of Italy.


RESULTS
Cigarette smoking, binge drinking, fruit and vegetables consumption and stress failed to show a social gradient. Only physical activity was significantly associated with social class. Stress was a significant predictor of physical inactivity, smoking and low fruit and vegetable intake. Lack of emotional support was associated with smoking and physical inactivity among males, and low fruit and vegetable intake for both genders.


CONCLUSIONS
Three proposed explanations may account for the lack of consistent social gradient of health behaviors in Northern Italy: a) socio-economic context; b) uncompleted epidemiological transition of behavioral risk factors across social classes; c) lack of systematic health promotion efforts. Future research is needed to examine the plausibility of such explanations.
De Vogli
Roberto
R
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College of London, Great Britain. r.devogli@ucl.ac.uk
Gnesotto
Roberto
R
Goldstein
Michael
M
Andersen
Ronald
R
Cornia
Giovanni Andrea
GA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D012923:Social Class; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications; D014675:Vegetables