Association of household income and education with eating behaviors in Japanese adults: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundSocioeconomic inequalities as social determinants of health are important issues in public health and health promotion. However, the association between socioeconomic status and eating behaviors has been investigated poorly in Japanese adults. To fill this gap, the present study examines the association of eating behaviors with household income and education.MethodsThe sample comprised 3,137 Japanese adults (1,580 men and 1,557 women) aged 30 to 59 years who responded to an Internet-based cross-sectional survey in 2014. Data on the following eating behaviors were collected via self-report: “taking care of one’s diet for health,” “eating vegetables,” “frequency of eating breakfast,” “frequency of family breakfasts,” “frequency of family dinners,” “using the information on nutrition labels,” and “conversations with family or friends during meals.” Self-reported data on socioeconomic status (household income and education) and demographic variables (gender, age, district of residence, marital status, residence status, and employment status) were also collected. The associations between eating behaviors and household income or education were tested using binomial logistic regression analysis with eating behaviors as dependent variables and household income and education as independent variables. A trend P -value was calculated for three categories of household income (less than 3,000,000 JPY, 3,000,000–7,000,000 JPY, and over 7,000,000 JPY) and education (junior high/high school, 2-year college, and 4-year college/graduate school).ResultsHigher household income and education were significantly associated with higher rates of eating vegetables, using the information on nutrition labels, and conversation with family or friends during meals in Japanese men and women. Higher household incomes were significantly associated with lower rates of frequency of family breakfasts in Japanese men and lower rates of frequency of family dinners in Japanese men and women.ConclusionsHigher socioeconomic status as indicated by household income or education was associated with eating more vegetables and conversation with family or friends during meals in Japanese men and women. Socioeconomic status should be considered in health promotion and diet improvement.

A randomized-controlled trial focusing on socio-economic status for promoting vegetable intake among adults using a web-based nutrition intervention programme: study protocol

“…Participants were randomly selected based on Japanese population statistics for the present study. We targeted adults because of the necessity of health promotion, healthy eating, and reduction in health disparities for this age group [23]. The following inclusion criteria are considered: (1) men and women aged 30–59 years old; (2) able to understand Japanese; (3) can access the Internet at home, work, or a public place; (4) agree to access the study website during the 5-week intervention period; (5) will participate in all three assessment points during the 4-month study period.…”

“…The average daily intake among lower-income social groups is a further 70 g lower than that among higher-income groups. Our nationwide survey of adults on the actual situation regarding the relationship between socio-economic status and dietary habits showed that, lower-income groups are less likely to have a habit of eating five servings of vegetables daily than are higher-income groups [23]. However, even among higher-income groups, the proportion of individuals who customarily consume five servings of vegetables daily is extremely small, at approximately 10% of the population [24].…”

“…Our nationwide survey of adults on the actual situation regarding the relationship between socio-economic status and dietary habits showed that, lower-income groups are less likely to have a habit of eating five servings of vegetables daily than are higher-income groups [23]. However, even among higher-income groups, the proportion of individuals who customarily consume five servings of vegetables daily is extremely small, at approximately 10% of the population [24]. Thus, support for the increased intake of appropriate vegetables should be implemented using a population-based approach that targets not only lower-income groups, but also the entire adult population.…”

Physical inactivity associated with the risk of non-communicable diseases in Japanese working mothers with young children: A cross-sectional study in Nagano city, Japan

“…In Finland, individuals with lower annual incomes had lower self-rated health statuses and a higher prevalence of long-standing illnesses (24). Even in Japan, higher household incomes were reported to be associated with better eating habits, such as consumption of more vegetables and more frequent conversations with friends or family during meals (25).…”

Socio-economic status and self-rated health: Are they good predictors of income? An analysis of survey panel data from Turkey

“…Healthy eating habits are one of the major factors of health promotion and one of the ways to improve public health. Nakamura et al [6] are of the opinion that a higher SES and income are associated with healthy eating habits among men and women. On the other hand, some diseases such as diabetes are more common among the socioeconomic elite.…”