title: Influence of parental socio-economic status on diet quality of European adolescents: results from the HELENA study.
abstract: Diet quality is influenced by socio-economic and geographical factors. The present study sought to assess whether adolescents' diet quality is affected by their parents' socio-economic status and whether the relationship between these factors is similar in northern and southern Europe. Data collected in the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence (HELENA) study in eight European countries were analysed. Dietary intake data were recorded via repeated 24 h recalls (using specifically developed HELENA Dietary Intake Assessment Tool software) and converted into an adolescent-specific Diet Quality Index (DQI-AM). Socio-economic status was estimated through parental educational level (Par-Educ-Lev) and parental occupation level (Par-Occ-Lev) as reported by the adolescents in a specific questionnaire. The DQI-AM data were then analysed as a function of Par-Educ-Lev and Par-Occ-Lev in northern European countries (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany and Sweden) and southern European countries (Greece, Italy and Spain). We studied a total of 1768 adolescents (age 14.7 (SD 1.3) years; percentage of girls: 52.8%; 1135 and 633 subjects from northern and southern Europe, respectively). On average, the DQI-AM score was higher in southern Europe than in northern Europe (69.1 (SD 0.1) v. 60.4 (SD 2.8), respectively; P < 0.001; Δ = 12.6%). The DQI was positively correlated with both paternal and maternal Par-Educ-Lev. However, this association was more pronounced in northern Europe than in southern Europe (P interaction = 0.004 for the mother and 0.06 for the father). The DQI was also positively correlated with Par-Occ-Lev (all P trends < 0.01), but this correlation was independent of the geographical area (P interaction = 0.51 for the mother and 0.50 for the father). In conclusion, Par-Educ-Lev and Par-Occ-Lev are associated with diet quality in adolescents in Europe. However, this association differs between northern Europe and southern Europe.
authors: CIC-PT-9301-Inserm-CH&U of Lille, CHRU de Lille, F-59037 Lille, France.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Béghin
authors: Service d'épidémiologie régional, CHRU de Lille, F-59037 Lille, France.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Dauchet
authors: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors: Tineke
authors: T
authors: De Vriendt
authors: Department of Medical Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, Spain.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Cuenca-García
authors: University of Harakopio, Athens, Greece.
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Manios
authors: Instituto Naziolalen di Ricerca per gli Alimenti de la Nutrizione, Roma, Italy.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Toti
authors: University of Crete School of Medicine, Heraklion, Greece.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Plada
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Private Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria.
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Widhalm
authors: Department of Pediatrics, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Repasy
authors: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Huybrechts
authors: Forschungsinstitut für Kinderernährung, Institut an der Rheinischen Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Dortmund, Germany.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Kersting
authors: GENUD (Growth, Exercise, Nutrition and Development) Research Group, Escuela Universitaria de Ciencas de la Salud, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain.
authors: L A
authors: LA
authors: Moreno
authors: Inserm, U744, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Université Lille Nord de France, Lille, France.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Dallongeville
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D041923:Adolescent Development; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment; D005060:Europe; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D009753:Nutritive Value; D010290:Parents; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires