Associations of socioeconomic factors with inadequate dietary intake in food aid users in France (The ABENA study 2004–2005)

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Few studies in Europe have examined the relationship of sociodemographic and economic factors with diet in deprived populations. We analysed the association between socioeconomic characteristics and consumption of different food groups in food aid users. Subjects/Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among food aid users in four urban French zones (n ¼ 1664). Associations of sociodemographic and economic factors and food aid use with frequency of consumption of the main food groups were tested using multivariate logistic regression models accounting for sampling weights. Results: Both migrant status and consumption of fewer than three daily meals were associated with risk of low frequency of starchy food consumption (o3 times per day). Migrant status was also associated with low frequency of consumption of fruits and vegetables (o3.5 times per day) and dairy products (o2 times per day). Subjects with severe food insufficiency were more likely to be low consumers of fruits and vegetables, meat, seafood and eggs (o1 time per day), and dairy products. A low monthly food budget, temporary housing in a shelter and no source of household income were all associated with risk of low frequency of seafood consumption (o2 times per week). Finally, duration of food aid use, type of food aid distribution and perception of poor health status were associated with low consumption of meat, seafood and eggs. Conclusions: Economic level and other social characteristics were associated with an unhealthy diet within this deprived French population.

Prevalence and socioeconomic and geographical inequalities of household food insecurity in the Paris region, France, 2010

“…This is occurring at the same time as a drastic reduction in European subventions, with a 40% decrease announced for the 2014–2020 period. The population who use food aid is quite well characterized in France thanks to the Abena survey performed in 2004–2005 [62,63]. Our results show individuals who use food aid constitute a small fraction of all food insecure people (as for other social services, many people in need may refrain from attending food aid services for different reasons, such as feelings of shame or stigma).…”

An explorative cross-sectional study examining self-reported health and nutritional status of disadvantaged people using food banks in Germany

“…In-depth research on this population group could provide relevant information about health-related behavior in people with low SES (operationalized by a low income), a particular population group that appears to be missing in representative survey data. Until today, only limited research results in regards to health and eating behavior of this group in Europe are available [15, 20, 36]. …”

Fruit and vegetable consumption among migrants in Switzerland

“…However, the evidence on dietary patterns is mixed (25) . While some studies report that migrant status is associated with a low daily intake of fruit and vegetables or adverse dietary patterns (26,27) , others report that migrant status is associated with a higher daily intake or beneficial dietary patterns compared with the native population of the host country (28)(29)(30)(31)(32) . Given that the mixed evidence partially reflects culture-specific dietary practices as well as acculturation to the dietary practices of the host countries, we may expect different patterns of fruit and vegetable consumption among migrants in Switzerland as well.…”