Socioeconomic Vulnerability and Its Associations With Dietary Patterns and Obesity Degree Among Children in Families Across Six European Countries: The Feel4Diabetes-Study

Abstract

Introduction: Previous studies suggest that children from lower socioeconomic status may be at higher risk of unhealthy eating. This study aims to examine the cumulative socioeconomic vulnerabilities and their association with dietary patterns and obesity levels in European children.

Methods: A total of 9664 parent-child dyads (79% mothers; 50.8% girls) from six European countries participated in the study. Families provided baseline information on energy balance-related behaviours and socioeconomic factors through questionnaires. Children's dietary habits were evaluated using semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires, and anthropometric data were collected. Vulnerabilities were quantified through a composition of variables based on household income, parental education and employment. Multivariable and logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results: The study found significant associations between socioeconomic vulnerability and children's dietary habits and body mass index. Higher vulnerability was linked to a lower probability of fruit and vegetable intake, and a higher probability of consuming red meat, and energy-dense snacks. Children with the highest vulnerability had nearly four times higher odds of overweight/obesity (OR = 3.82, 95% CI: 3.05-4.76).

Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that European children from families with a high socioeconomic vulnerability tend to have an unhealthy dietary profile and a higher degree of obesity. Therefore, public health programs should prioritise families facing high socioeconomic vulnerabilities promoting healthy eating to prevent childhood obesity at early stages.

Trial registration: Clinical trials registry http://clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02393872.

Keywords: Europe; SES; children; dietary intake; obesity; socioeconomic vulnerability.