Social class and health behaviour in Danish adults: a longitudinal study

Health behaviours were examined in a random sample of 3,608 men and women aged 30, 40, 50 and 60 years, living in the western part of Copenhagen, Denmark. Data were collected by standardized questionnaires completed by each individual in 1982 and by 2,987 subjects who attended for follow up five years later. Smoking, leisure time inactivity and infrequent intake of vegetables were interrelated and highly influenced by social class. Between 1982 and 1987 the proportion of smokers decreased in both sexes. However, an inverse association with social status persisted in the men and increased by 8% in the women. The proportion of physically inactive subjects remained nearly constant. Infrequent intake of vegetables decreased in both sexes, but an inverse association with social status persisted in men and increased by 10% in women from 1982 to 1987. In the multivariate analysis high social status predicted quitting smoking in both sexes and increased intake of vegetables in women. It is suggested that the inequalities in health behaviours between social status groups may to some extent be attributed to the way health promotion has been carried out in Denmark. This observation provides a challenge for the future design of effective public health strategies.