Table 4

 Regression coefficients (95% confidence intervals) for average intake of fruit and vegetables (g/day) in 10321 men and 12241 women aged 39–79 years, of the EPIC-Norfolk cohort, 1993(1997, stratified by (a) social class, (b) educational level, and (c) deprivation level adjusted for age

Predictor variablesNon-manualManual
Regression coefficients* β (95% CI)p ValueRegression coefficients* β (95% CI)p Value
*Regression coefficients are shown as the difference in grams per day from the reference category, adjusted for the other factors in the model. Predictor variables: social class—non-manual  =  social classes I, II, and III non-manual; manual  =  social classes III manual, IV, and V. Education—at least O level, no qualifications. Deprivation level—based on Townsend deprivation scores: <0  =  less deprived, >0  =  highly deprived.
(a) By social class
Men n = 6039n = 4282
Townsend index−18.2 (−34.3 to −2.2)0.03−33.7 (−48.7 to −18.7)<0.001
Educational level−12.2 (−25.5 to 1.0)0.07−13.6 (−26.2 to −0.97)0.04
Women n = 7540n = 4701
Townsend index2.3 (−13.0 to 17.6)0.77−37.4 (−53.8 to −21.1)<0.001
Educational level−35.1 (−46.2 to −24.0)<0.001−20.5 (−34.8 to −6.3)0.005
(b) By educational level At least O level No qualifications
Men n = 7202n = 3119
Townsend index−20.1 (−33.9 to −6.4)0.004−37.2 (−55.5 to −18.9)<0.001
Social class−19.8 (−29.8 to −9.8)<0.001−19.9 (−35.1 to −4.7)0.01
Women n = 6501n = 5740
Townsend index3.4 (−12.9 to 19.7)0.68−33.5 (−48.8 to −18.1)<0.001
Social class−20.9 (−33.5 to −8.3)0.001−5.2 (−17.3 to 6.9)0.40
(c) By deprivation level Less deprived Highly deprived
Men n = 8746n = 1575
Social class−18.1 (−27.2 to −9.0)<0.001−29.4 (−50.4 to −8.5)0.006
Educational level−10.9 (−20.9 to −0.8)0.03−23.4 (−45.2 to −1.6)0.04
Women n = 10306n = 1935
Social class−7.8 (−17.3 to 1.7)0.11−37.8 (−59.9 to −15.6)0.001
Educational level−25.8 (−35.3 to −16.4)<0.001−50.9 (−74.0 to −27.8)<0.001