Inequalities in nutrition

Inequalities in nutrition are associated with inequalities in health. Many surveys, mainly American, show that there are large variations between individuals in the quality and quantity of food consumed. Variations depend upon up-bringing, education, income and availability of food. In the United Kingdom there is a steep social-class gradient in age-specific death-rates for heart disease and other diseases including cancer. Of all the many possible nutritional factors the strongest inverse correlates with death-rates within the United Kingdom and in other developed countries are the consumption of fresh vegetables and fruit. Among the individual nutrients a low consumption of vitamin A, or its precursor carotene is associated with an increased cancer risk. Whole milk is a major source of vitamin A and carotene in the British diet and is also reported to be protective against osteoporosis and some forms of hypertension including preeclampsia. School meals can set a pattern of life-long eating habits.