20000324-European women eat better than men

What and how do Europeans eat? The answer lies in the hands of two professors from the University of Navarra, Miguel Ángel Martínez-González and Alfredo Martínez who, together with other experts from 17 countries, prepared a study on the disparity in eating habits in the European Union. One of the studies on which work was based, financed by the European Union, analyzed eating habits in Navarra.

In addition, between March 23 and 26, the Epidemiology and Public Health Unit of the University of Navarra hosted the final plenary meeting of the group that worked on this study. The research took advantage of European household budget surveys to analyze the consumption of foods and nutrients that are most related to health. The Epidemiology and Public Health Unit of the University of Navarra participated in the committee Steering Committee of this project and conducted the combined statistical analysis ("meta-analysis") of all these surveys.

The goal main objective of the study was to show the link between socioeconomic and demographic factors and dietary habits in order to give an overview of the European disparity in this respect.

The population of class high tends to follow a healthier per diem expenses

The main conclusion drawn from the study is that eating habits are linked to socioeconomic and educational differences in each country. Thus, the population with a high class tends to follow a healthier per diem expenses . In addition, people with high levels of Education consume more fruits and vegetables, and less fat.

Habits also vary from region to region: for example, the differences in vegetable intake between people with high and low levels of Education are not as pronounced in southern Europe as in the north. In addition, more butter, milk products and animal fats are eaten in the north.

This per diem expenses is similar to that of the east, except for butter intake. The south consumes less animal fat and more fruits and vegetables. In the west, the dietary patterns constitute a middle ground between eastern and southern habits.

It is also clear from research that European women eat better than men, but the determinants of behavior are very different: for men, vegetable consumption depends on the social class , while among women the geographical region has more influence. Thus, men from high social class and women from southern Europe eat more vegetables.

According to Miguel Ángel Martínez-González, professor of Preventive Medicine and Public Health at the University of Navarra, "a more complete study would require greater specificity from data, such as more precise information on the food of each country and its relationship with other behaviors, such as practicing sports, smoking, drinking more or less alcohol.... Nevertheless, the results are basic for carrying out educational nutrition policies in the countries that need them most".