The influence of socio-demographic factors upon children's breaktime food consumption in North and West Belfast

Grace Bunting, Ruth Freeman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Children in primary education in Northern Ireland have a diet which is characterised by a high consumption of fatty and sugary snacks. Evidence shows that a relationship exists between such dietary habits and socio-demography. Previous work has relied upon reports of dietary habits rather than assessing the snacks actually taken. The aim of this study was to examine how socio-demographic factors affected the actual type of breaktime snack taken by children in primary education in North and West Belfast. Four hundred and eighty-two children took part in the study. Using the 'rubbish bag' methodology as an indicator of actual snacking behaviour, the results showed that gender and socio-economic profile of the school attended were associated with the food consumption of children at breaktime in North and West Belfast.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)401-409
Number of pages9
JournalHealth Education Journal
Volume58
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 1999

Keywords

  • Diet and nutrition
  • Inequalities
  • Northern Ireland
  • Schoolchildren

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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