Socio-economic determinants of nutrition transition in Southern European countries

Abstract

Abstract Issue/problem Traditional dietary patterns in southern European countries are changing into less healthy choices, especially among the younger generations. Description of the problem There is consistent evidence of a transition from Mediterranean foods preference toward a higher consumption of high-caloric and hyper-processed foods. Potential reasons for the observed nutrition transition or barriers for adopting healthy dietary pattern across the borders of the Mediterranean basin are represented by lifestyle changes, food globalization, economic, and socio-cultural factors. Results Emerging socioeconomic inequalities in other domains of healthy dietary behaviors such as dietary variety, access to organic foods and food purchasing behavior seems to affect Southern Mediterranean countries while countries in Northern Europe and some other Countries around the world are currently embracing a Mediterranean-like dietary pattern. A potential cause of this downward trend could be the increasing prices of some food items of the Mediterranean diet pyramid. Recent evidence has shown a possible involvement of the economic crisis, as material resources becoming strong determinants of the adherence to the Mediterranean diet just after the recession started in 2007-2008 in part of Europe. Undesirable dietary modifications possibly linked to the current economic crisis were mainly reported by lower socioeconomic groups. Interpretation Traditional healthy dietary patterns have become socioeconomically patterned, and the prominent role of financial over cultural resources in determining the adherence to this pattern should be taken into account. The current economic crisis represents a major health threat for the general population but in particular for the most vulnerable socioeconomic groups, possibly leading to wider gaps in terms of risk/protective factors across socioeconomic categories.