Sociodemographic disparity in health-related behaviors and dietary habits among governmental employees in Hunan, China

Abstract

BackgroundHealth-related behaviors and dietary habits have played essential roles in shaping population health and are related to morbidity or mortality. We aimed to estimate the distribution of health-related behaviors and dietary habits by socio-demographics among governmental employees in China.MethodA total of 5029 participants were included in this study. Information on their sociodemographic characteristics, health-related behaviors and dietary habits was collected. Socioeconomic status (SES) scores were calculated by multiplying ordinal numerical values assigned to consecutive categories of education level and annual household income. Adjusted multinomial logistic regression analysis and categorical principal component analysis were used to estimate differences in health-related behaviors and dietary habits by socio-demographics.ResultsThe distribution of health-related behaviors and dietary habits varied by sociodemographic groups. Middle-aged males (41–60 years) were more likely to smoke, use alcohol and have short sleep duration. Young participants (≤ 30 years) were more likely to have multiple unhealthy behaviors and dietary habits. Those in high-SES have a lower level of smoking and leisure-time physical inactivity, but a high level of late sleeping than those in low-SES. Notably, older males (≥ 51 y) with low-SES preferred the ‘smoked and pickled foods, and dessert’ and ‘fish and nut’ pattern. In high-SES groups, 41–50 y people preferred the ‘traditional foods’ and ‘cereals and dairy product’ pattern. No difference in dietary patterns by socio-demographics were found among females.ConclusionsOur findings of the disparity distribution of health-related behaviors and dietary habits by specific-gender, age and SES among Chinses governmental employees have important policy implications for developing targeted health interventions to facilitate health-related behaviors and dietary habits in this population.