Social deprivation is associated with poorer adherence to healthy eating dietary goals: analysis of household food purchases

Background The Scottish Dietary Goals (SDGs) were published to promote healthier diets. The higher cost of healthier diets may be a barrier to their adoption by households in deprived areas. The aim was to estimate dietary intakes relevant to the SGDs, derived from purchase data of food and drinks brought into the home by area of deprivation. Methods A cross-sectional study of estimated intakes of food and nutrients, and on fruit and vegetables (F&V) specifically, from Kantar Worldpanel household food purchase data in Scotland from 2012 (n = 2586). Households were grouped by area based index of multiple deprivation. Results Diets of households were further from achieving the SDGs as deprivation increased. Linear regression showed that estimated intakes of oil rich fish decreased, and red and processed meat increased with increasing deprivation (both P < 0.001), while estimated intakes of F&V decreased (P < 0.001) mainly because of lower amounts of fresh F&V (P < 0.001). Negative linear associations were observed between deprivation and the amount spent per person on F&V (P < 0.001), and the amount spent per 100 g of F&V (P < 0.001). Conclusions This study provides further insights into the relationship between social deprivation and diet quality in Scotland, notably in amounts of fresh F&V purchased.