Socio-economic differences in eating-related attitudes, behaviours and environments of adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between area-level socio-economic status and healthy and less healthy eating behaviours among adolescents and to determine whether the relationship between area-level socio-economic status and dietary behaviours was related to the relevant attitudes and environments.


METHODS
Data were collected as part of Youth'07, a nationally representative survey of the health and well-being of New Zealand youth.


METHODS
New Zealand secondary schools, 2007.


METHODS
A total of 9107 secondary-school students in New Zealand.


RESULTS
Students from more deprived areas perceived more supportive school environments and cared as much about healthy eating as students in more affluent areas. However, these students were significantly more likely to report consuming fast food, soft drinks and chocolates.


CONCLUSIONS
Addressing area-level socio-economic disparities in healthy eating requires addressing the availability, affordability and marketing of unhealthy snack foods, particularly in economically deprived areas.
Utter
Jennifer
J
Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population Health, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand. j.utter@auckland.ac.nz
Denny
Simon
S
Crengle
Sue
S
Ameratunga
Shanthi
S
Clark
Terryann
T
Maddison
Ralph
R
Percival
Teuila
T
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D017195:Adolescent Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / Q000502:physiology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D057140:Fast Foods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005523:Food Supply / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D011203:Poverty; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors