Association of parents’ education and family structure with nutrition and food intake among Finnish teenagers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.23990/sa.7058Abstract
This study examines the socioeconomic differences in nutrient and food intake and regular meal pattern among teenagers. The data on meal patterns consisted of a cross-sectional survey questionnaire completed by 726 13–14-year-old pupils in 12 schools situated in the Finnish cities of Tampere, Lahti and Mikkeli in the spring of 2007. Consumption of foods and intake of nutrients was studied with a 48-hours recall food interview completed by 42 percent of the original sample (306 pupils). Socioeconomic status was measured by parents’ highest educational level and by family structure. Higher parental education was associated with higher consumption of fruits, berries and vegetables as well as skimmed milk and correspondingly with higher intake of vitamin C, folate and calcium. Lower parental education was associated with less regular consumption of breakfast. Teenagers living with both parents consumed more rye bread and milk than those living in single parent households. Living with two parents was also associated with eating breakfast and lunch more regularly on school days. The amount of weekly allowance was positively associated with higher consumption of soft drinks. Socioeconomic differences in nutrition and meal patterns among teenagers were smaller than those generally found in the adult population.
