Associations of social status and health-related beliefs with dietary fat and fiber densities

doi:10.1016/0091-7435(92)90080-2

Preventive Medicine

Volume 21, Issue 6, November 1992, Pages 735-745

https://doi.org/10.1016/0091-7435(92)90080-2 Get rights and content

Abstract

Background. Lower social status groups have higher mortality rates from some diet-related diseases and higher dietary fat and lower dietary fiber intakes. Such dietary patterns have been found to be related to social status, environmental influences, and health-related beliefs and expectations.

Methods. Associations of social status and diet-related and health-related beliefs and expectations with dietary fat and fiber densities were examined in a population sample of 874 respondents to a postal questionnaire. A food frequency listing of 172 foods was used to assess usual dietary intake.

Results. More positive beliefs and expectations were associated with lower dietary fat and higher dietary fiber densities in univariate models; beliefs and expectations differed little between social status groups. In multivariate models, stronger perceptions of external influences on food choices, fewer perceived barriers to eating a healthy diet, and social status were independently associated with low dietary fat density. Diet-related and health-related beliefs and perceptions of external influences on food choices, but not social status, were independently associated with high dietary fiber density. The belief that diet is a major cause of stroke, diabetes, and hypertension was weakly associated with the dietary fiber density of lower social status groups.

Conclusions. Social status and perceptions of external influences on dietary choice, as well as personal beliefs, have independent associations with food intake. Although exclusive targeting of lower social status groups is not indicated, interventions to increase dietary fiber intake should address expectations, attitudes, and beliefs about dietary fiber and health and perceptions of external influences on food choices, especially among lower status groups; interventions to lower dietary fat intake should address a broad range of external and social factors, as well as personal beliefs.

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Applications/conclusions Our findings suggest that dietary change requires active self-regulation of food intake. Combining goal setting and self-monitoring significantly enhances dietary behavior change. This strategy can easily be incorporated into nutrition education or counseling programs to enhance dietary behavior change. J Am Diet Assoc. 2001;101:1006-1011.
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Associations of social status and health-related beliefs with dietary fat and fiber densities

Abstract

J Am Diet Assoc

J Am Diet Assoc

J Am Diet Assoc

Comm Health Stud

J Nutr Educ

Socio-demographic determinants in Australia of the intake of food and nutrients implicated in cancer epidemiology

Med J Aust

Public health implications of dietary differences between social status and occupational category groups

J Epidemiol Comm Health

Changes in diet and coronary heart disease among social classes in Great Britain

J Epidemiol Comm Health