As part of the National Nutrition and Health Program (PNNS), experts from Inserm (National Institute for Health and Medical Research) have looked into social inequalities in health. “Lifestyle habits, such as alcohol and tobacco consumption, diet and physical activity are recognized as major determinants of health. And these health behaviors, which appear from childhood and last until old age, are strongly determined by the position of an individual on the socio-economic scale “explain the researchers.
The double punishment of categories of less advantaged social level
“There is a linear relationship between the socio-economic position of individuals and their state of health,” say Inserm researchers. This relationship is observed for life expectancy (thus, at age 35, senior executives have a longer life expectancy of 6 years compared to workers) but also for the majority of chronic pathologies such as diabetes and obesity. , cardiovascular disease, hypertension or oral health, which will affect the quality of life.
“Of his 47 years of life expectancy, a 35-year-old senior executive can expect to live 34 without any disability, or 73% of the time he has left to live. A worker will live on average 24 years without disability, or 60% of the time left to live. There is therefore for the categories of less advantaged social level a “double penalty” relating to the duration of life but also on the conditions of this one “underline the experts.
Inequalities also in food consumption
In terms of food consumption, the variations are also significant according to socio-economic position. Among children and adolescents, food consumption is less favorable to health (fewer fruits and vegetables, more sugary drinks) among those living in households with the lowest socioeconomic conditions compared to those whose environment life is more favorable. “These differences are also manifested at the level of eating rhythms, the emblematic example being the more frequent absence of breakfast in populations of low socio-economic position, especially among adolescents” explain the researchers.
The importance of clear nutrition labeling
The main objective of this expertise being to try to reduce (or at least not worsen) social inequalities related to nutrition by proposing programs that bring health benefits to the entire population, the researchers point to the point out the importance of nutrition labeling. “This tool, already put in place by the public authorities in many countries to try to direct purchases towards more health-friendly foods, has the advantage of being inexpensive and not binding on consumers” they insist. .
Imposing minimum quality standards for foods with a ban on certain ingredients would be another way to promote health through food. “But only a combination of policies, conducted in a sustainable manner over the long term, can effectively achieve significant improvements in the nutritional status of populations” he concludes.