Adolescents' education and their diet recorded by 7-day food records

To investigate associations between dietary habits and socio-economic status in adolescents (Ghent, Belgium).

A random sample of 341 adolescents (13-18 years) participated in a dietary survey using a 7-day dietary record. Respondents' educational training (general/vocational) and parental education were used as indicators of socio-economic status.

In girls, the prevalence of overweight is higher when following vocational training or having a low parental education; the energy and micronutrient intake was higher in respondents with a general training and in those with a high parental education. Girls following a general training have significantly higher intake of fruit, vegetables, breakfast cereals, cheese and milk & milk products, while their intake was significantly lower for soft drinks. Girls with a high parental education have a higher intake of cake, biscuits, milk & milk products. In boys, small differences in micronutrient and food intake were found between different educational levels. In both sexes, the diet of general trained adolescents was more diversified.

The results demonstrate trends which highlight the need for continued efforts to improve the adolescents' diet, particularly in lower social groups.