Food-related lifestyles and their association to obesity in five European countries

TY - JOUR

T1 - Food-related lifestyles and their association to obesity in five European countries

AU - Perez Cueto Eulert, Federico Jose A

AU - Verbeke, Wim

AU - de Barcellos, Marcia Dutra

AU - Kehagia, Olga

AU - Chryssochoidis, George

AU - Scholderer, Joachim

AU - Grunert, Klaus G

N1 - 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

PY - 2010/2

Y1 - 2010/2

N2 - This paper's objective is to investigate the associations between obesity and Food-Related Lifestyles (FRL) in five European countries. A cross-sectional web-based survey was carried out in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece and Poland, January 2008, with quota samples on gender (male, female), age categories (20-44 and 45-70 years), and locality of residence (urban, rural). A total of 2437 respondents (51% women, 49% men; mean age 41.4 years, SD 13.1) participated. Obtained data included socio-demographic information, measure of the food-related lifestyle scale and self-reported weights and heights. Body Mass Index (in kg/m2) was calculated as weight (in kg) divided by the squared height (in m2). Individuals were classified as obese if BMI ≥ 30. Logistic regressions were fitted for the aggregated sample and then by country with obese as dependent and socio-demographics and FRL were included as independents. The prevalence of obesity in the five countries is 22%. Europeans giving more importance to 'self-fulfilment' (odds = 1.18), 'planning of meals' (odds = 1.15), and preferring 'snacks vs. meals' (odds = 1.24) are more likely to be obese. Respondents were less likely to be obese if they attached lower levels of importance to the use of 'shopping lists' (odds = 0.87). The overall picture is that a stronger interest in health, organic products and freshness, within the FLR domain of quality aspects, is associated with 'not being obese'. This study has identified specific FRL dimensions as potential predictors of obesity. The resulting consumers' profiling can be used for targeted interventions for weight management in Europe.

AB - This paper's objective is to investigate the associations between obesity and Food-Related Lifestyles (FRL) in five European countries. A cross-sectional web-based survey was carried out in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece and Poland, January 2008, with quota samples on gender (male, female), age categories (20-44 and 45-70 years), and locality of residence (urban, rural). A total of 2437 respondents (51% women, 49% men; mean age 41.4 years, SD 13.1) participated. Obtained data included socio-demographic information, measure of the food-related lifestyle scale and self-reported weights and heights. Body Mass Index (in kg/m2) was calculated as weight (in kg) divided by the squared height (in m2). Individuals were classified as obese if BMI ≥ 30. Logistic regressions were fitted for the aggregated sample and then by country with obese as dependent and socio-demographics and FRL were included as independents. The prevalence of obesity in the five countries is 22%. Europeans giving more importance to 'self-fulfilment' (odds = 1.18), 'planning of meals' (odds = 1.15), and preferring 'snacks vs. meals' (odds = 1.24) are more likely to be obese. Respondents were less likely to be obese if they attached lower levels of importance to the use of 'shopping lists' (odds = 0.87). The overall picture is that a stronger interest in health, organic products and freshness, within the FLR domain of quality aspects, is associated with 'not being obese'. This study has identified specific FRL dimensions as potential predictors of obesity. The resulting consumers' profiling can be used for targeted interventions for weight management in Europe.

KW - Adult

KW - Age Distribution

KW - Aged

KW - Attitude to Health

KW - Body Mass Index

KW - Cross-Sectional Studies

KW - Europe

KW - Feeding Behavior

KW - Female

KW - Food

KW - Food Preferences

KW - Humans

KW - Life Style

KW - Male

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Obesity

KW - Prevalence

KW - Socioeconomic Factors

KW - Young Adult

U2 - 10.1016/j.appet.2009.10.001

DO - 10.1016/j.appet.2009.10.001

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 19835922

SN - 0195-6663

VL - 54

SP - 156

EP - 162

JO - Appetite

JF - Appetite

IS - 1

ER -