Do Not "Let Them Eat Cake": Correlation of Food-Consumption Patterns among Rural Primary School Children from Welfare and Non-Welfare Households

Physical and financial access impacts food choice and consumption, while educational attainment, employment, income, gender, and socioeconomic status are also influential. Within this context, the aim of the paper is to examine the association between various foods consumed and eating patterns of ch...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of environmental research and public health 2016-12, Vol.14 (1), p.26
Main Authors: Terry, Daniel, Ervin, Kaye, Soutter, Erin, Spiller, Renata, Dalle Nogare, Nicole, Hamilton, Andrew John
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Beverages
Child
Feeding Behavior
Female
Fruit
Humans
Income
Male
Parents
Residence Characteristics - statistics & numerical data
Snacks
Social Class
Vegetables
Victoria
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Summary:Physical and financial access impacts food choice and consumption, while educational attainment, employment, income, gender, and socioeconomic status are also influential. Within this context, the aim of the paper is to examine the association between various foods consumed and eating patterns of children between low and higher income households. A paper-based survey was completed by parents/carers of children in 41 primary schools in rural and regional areas of Victoria. Data collected included demographics and the consumption of fruit, vegetable, and other foods including drinks. Ordinal data were analysed using Spearman's rank-order correlation. The main findings were that children who consumed more fruit and vegetables tended to have a higher intake of healthy drinks (plain milk and water) as well as a lower intake of unhealthy snacks and drinks (sugar sweetened drinks). Those who perceived that fruit and vegetables cost too much reported greater consumption of unhealthy snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages, which was more prominent in low-income households. Changing food consumption behaviours requires a complex systems-based approach that addresses more than just individual issues variables. A participatory approach that works with local communities and seeks to build an understanding of unique challenges within sub-groups has potential for embedding long-lasting and meaningful change in eating behaviours.
ISSN:1660-4601
1661-7827
1660-4601
DOI:10.3390/ijerph14010026