Social Class Differences in Women's Fat and Fibre Consumption: A Cross-National Study

Abstract

This study focuses on social class variation in the intake of fat and fibre in Maastricht, Liège and Aachen, based on food frequency questionnaires of 849 women from nuclear families with schoolgoing children. In Maastricht and Liège higher-middle class women consumed less fat than working class women, while in Aachen no class difference was apparent. The intake of fibre was highest among the higher-middle class women, although this tendency was not significant in Aachen. Analysis of food groups that contribute to the intake of fat and fibre revealed that not all food groups showed this pattern. Higher-middle class women consumed less bread, less potatoes and more cheese than working class women. Moreover, they chose more often high-fat cheese and fats. Yet, working class women consumed more meat, milk and fats, and less grain, fruit and vegetables. In general, social class variations in fat and fibre intake were uniform across the cities, although in Aachen class differences were small or absent. In conclusion, these results suggest that the diet of higher-middle class women is more in acordance with the dietary recommendations regarding fat and fibre than the diet of working class women.