Income Level and Food Intake Patterns among Male Bengalee Slum Dwellers in Kolkata, India

This cross-sectional study explored the relationships between income levels and food intake patterns among slum dwellers in Kolkata, India. A total of 284 male subjects of Bengalee ethnicity participated in the study. The mean (SD) age, monthly family income and monthly per capita income of the subjects were 40.8 years (14.2), Indian Rupees (Rs.) 3259 (1574) and Rs. 700 (416) respectively. Potatoes, fresh vegetables, sweets and eggs were among the most frequently consumed food items on a daily basis. Butter, soft drinks, milk and ghee were least frequently consumed. The frequency of consumption of snacks, sweets and fruits showed strong significant correlations (p < 0.001). Principal component analysis of the frequency of consumption of different foods showed five components that explained a cumulative variance of 56%. Eigen values of components one to five were: 1.49 for fruit, sweets and snacks; 1.36 for fish and soft drinks; 1.16 for ghee and butter; 0.65 for fresh vegetables; and 1.02 for milk. Individually, these components explained 14, 12, 11, 10 and 9% of the variations respectively. Regression analyses showed monthly per capita income to be significantly associated with frequency of consumption of soft drinks (F = 6.79, p < 0.001) and fish (F = 7.90, p< 0.005). Age showed a significantly positive association with butter consumption (F = 9.41, p<0.002), and was negatively associated with intake of soft drinks and fried snacks (F = 10.10, p< 0.002). Using regression equations to predict the impact of increased income on consumption patterns, it was found that a 10% increase in income is associated with 1% increase in consumption of fish, which carries traditional prestige. A similar increase in income would also lead to 10% increase in consumption of soft drinks that has connotations of brand associated prestige.