Associations between social vulnerabilities and dietary patterns in European children: the Identification and prevention of Dietary- and lifestyle-induced health EFfects In Children and infantS (IDEFICS) study.
Socio-economic inequalities in childhood can determine dietary patterns, and therefore future health. This study aimed to explore associations between social vulnerabilities and dietary patterns assessed at two time points, and to investigate the association between accumulation of vulnerabilities and dietary patterns. A total of 9301 children aged 2-9 years participated at baseline and 2-year follow-up examinations of the Identification and prevention of Dietary- and lifestyle-induced health EFfects In Children and infantS study. In all, three dietary patterns were identified at baseline and follow-up by applying the K-means clustering algorithm based on a higher frequency of consumption of snacks and fast food (processed), sweet foods and drinks (sweet), and fruits and vegetables (healthy). Vulnerable groups were defined at baseline as follows: children whose parents lacked a social network, children from single-parent families, children of migrant origin and children with unemployed parents. Multinomial mixed models were used to assess the associations between social vulnerabilities and children's dietary patterns at baseline and follow-up. Children whose parents lacked a social network (OR 1·31; 99 % CI 1·01, 1·70) and migrants (OR 1·45; 99 % CI 1·15, 1·83) were more likely to be in the processed cluster at baseline and follow-up. Children whose parents were homemakers (OR 0·74; 99 % CI 0·60, 0·92) were less likely to be in the processed cluster at baseline. A higher number of vulnerabilities was associated with a higher probability of children being in the processed cluster (OR 1·78; 99 % CI 1·21, 2·62). Therefore, special attention should be paid to children of vulnerable groups as they present unhealthier dietary patterns.
1GENUD (Growth, Exercise, NUtrition and Development) Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences,University of Zaragoza,Edificio del SAI,C/Pedro Cerbuna s/n,50009 Zaragoza,Spain.
Isabel
I
Iguacel
1GENUD (Growth, Exercise, NUtrition and Development) Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences,University of Zaragoza,Edificio del SAI,C/Pedro Cerbuna s/n,50009 Zaragoza,Spain.
Juan M
JM
Fernández-Alvira
5Institute for Public Health and Nursing Sciences (IPP),University of Bremen,Grazer Strasse 2, 28359 Bremen,Germany.
Karin
K
Bammann
7Department of Public Health,Ghent University,University Hospital, Block 4K3,De Pintelaan 185, B 9000 Ghent,Belgium.
Bart
B
De Clercq
8Public Health Epidemiology Unit (EPI),Department of Public Health and Community Medicine,Sahlgrenska Academy,University of Gothenburg,Medicinaregatan 16a, Vån 2, 41390 Gothenburg,Sweden.
Gabriele
G
Eiben
9Copenhagen Business School,Solbjerg Pl. 3, 2000 Frederiksberg, Copenhagen,Denmark.
Wencke
W
Gwozdz
10Department of Paediatrics,University of Pécs,Szigeti str 12, H-7624, Pécs,Hungary.
Dénes
D
Molnar
11Department of Preventive and Predictive Medicine,Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori,via Venezian 1, 20133 Milan,Italy.
Valeria
V
Pala
12Research and Education Institute of Child Health,138, Limassol Avenue, 2015 Strovolos,Cyprus.
Stalo
S
Papoutsou
13Unit of Epidemiology and Population Genetics,Institute of Food Sciences,National Research Council,83100 Avellino,Italy.
Paola
P
Russo
14Department of Chronic Diseases,National Institute for Health Development,Hiiu 42, 11619 Tallinn,Estonia.
Toomas
T
Veidebaum
6Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS,Achterstraße 30, D-28359, Bremen,Germany.
Maike
M
Wolters
6Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS,Achterstraße 30, D-28359, Bremen,Germany.
Claudia
C
Börnhorst
1GENUD (Growth, Exercise, NUtrition and Development) Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences,University of Zaragoza,Edificio del SAI,C/Pedro Cerbuna s/n,50009 Zaragoza,Spain.
Luis A
LA
Moreno
D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004032:Diet; D005060:Europe; D057140:Fast Foods; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D020954:Single-Parent Family; D062410:Snacks; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014171:Transients and Migrants; D014478:Unemployment; D014675:Vegetables; D035862:Vulnerable Populations
 CEHQ-FFQ Children’s Eating Habits Questionnaire-FFQ;  IDEFICS Identification and prevention of Dietary- and lifestyle-induced health EFfects In Children and infantS;  SES socio-economic status; Children; Dietary patterns; Inequalities; Socio-economic status; Vulnerable groups