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Correlates of dietary resilience among socioeconomically disadvantaged adolescents

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 65, pages 1219–1232 (2011)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Background/Objectives:

Despite increased risk for unhealthy diets, some socioeconomically disadvantaged adolescents manage to consume a healthy diet, thereby showing ‘dietary resilience’. This investigation aimed to describe the vegetable and fruit intakes of socioeconomically disadvantaged adolescents, and explore the intrapersonal, social and environmental factors associated with more favourable dietary intakes among socioeconomically disadvantaged adolescents.

Subjects/Methods:

The present investigation draws on data from 1014 socioeconomically disadvantaged adolescents (55% girls), a sub-sample of 3264 adolescents aged 12–15 years recruited from 37 secondary schools in Victoria, Australia. The adolescents completed an online survey in 2004–2005 comprising an FFQ and questions pertaining to intrapersonal, social and environmental factors informed by the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). Frequent vegetable and fruit intake was defined as ⩾2 times per day and ⩾1 time per day, respectively.

Results:

Approximately one-third of socioeconomically disadvantaged adolescents frequently consumed vegetables and fruit (boys, 29% and 27% respectively; girls, 29% and 36% respectively). Greater perceived importance of health, and frequently being served vegetables with dinner, were associated with frequent intakes. Friends’ support for healthy eating was associated with boys’ frequent vegetable intake. Less stringent adherence to family meal-time rules was associated with frequent intakes; however, the opposite was observed when girls were expected to eat all foods served.

Conclusions:

Nutrition promotion messages targeting socioeconomically disadvantaged adolescents could focus on fostering appreciation for health and providing families with strategies to increase meal-time vegetable availability. Friends could be encouraged to support healthy eating among boys. Family meal-time rules warrant further investigation.

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Acknowledgements

The study was funded by the Australian Research Council (ID: DP0452044) and the William Buckland Foundation. We thank Dr Nick Andrianopoulos for advice regarding statistical analyses. Sarah McNaughton is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Public Health Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (ID: 323519). David Crawford is supported by a Victorian Health Promotion Foundation Senior Research Fellowship and Kylie Ball is supported by an NHMRC Senior Research Fellowship (ID: 479513). Abbie MacFarlane is supported by an NHMRC Population Health Capacity Building Grant (ID: 425845).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia

    L D A Stephens, S A McNaughton, D Crawford, A MacFarlane & K Ball

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  1. L D A Stephens
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  2. S A McNaughton
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  3. D Crawford
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  4. A MacFarlane
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Correspondence to L D A Stephens.

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Stephens, L., McNaughton, S., Crawford, D. et al. Correlates of dietary resilience among socioeconomically disadvantaged adolescents. Eur J Clin Nutr 65, 1219–1232 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2011.107

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