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 language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 401-409 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Health Education Journal |
Volume | 58 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 1999 |
Keywords
- Diet and nutrition
- Inequalities
- Northern Ireland
- Schoolchildren
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health