Research project SO/02/014 (Research action SO)
1) Introduction
The substrate for this research proposal is constituted by a rather extensive set of existing databases which were developed in the 1970's, 80's and 90's by the Belgian government, by research groups from scientific institutions, by the food industry, and by organisations from the non-profit sector. These databases relate in whole or part to various aspects of food and/or health in such a way that they can be related to a number of personal characteristics, which in turn can be used to divide populations into various social subgroups.
The databases, which will be studied, can be subdivided as follows:
- Databases relating to the share of food in the total budget expenditure and with regard to the purchase of specific (groups of) foodstuffs in particular (at the level of households);
- Databases relating to consumption of foods on an individual level (both quantitative and qualitative);
- Databases relating to the content of nutrients in foodstuffs;
- Databases relating to concentrations of contaminants in foods in various forms (washed, peeled, cooked, etc.);
- Databases with prospective data relating to the relationship between food and morbidity/mortality.
2) General objectives
I. The goal of the research is, in a first phase, to identify, elucidate and quantify possible differences between different social classes within the general Belgian population in terms of their food purchasing behaviour and their food consumption. On the basis of the already existing literature on these issues, in a first phase one will study how all these variables can be taken into account in social stratification models. On the basis of these variables, clusters of marginal groups within society will also be defined.
II. After a number of differences between social subgroups in our society have been mapped out in phase I, it is the intention in a second phase, on the basis of simulation research to gain insight into the possibilities for correcting the differences identified between social classes (both on the level of nutrients and on the level of contaminants, to the extent that the differences found are relevant for public health) on the basis of qualitative interventions (e.g. enrichment of foodstuffs with specific nutrients, adaptation of quality standards in production processes, food-centred health promotion campaigns, regulations concerning novel foods and functional foods, etc.) and quantitative interventions (e.g. price regulations, economic measures with regard to the availability of products, etc.).
III. In a third phase of the research, the intention is to investigate how the findings from phase one and two can be maximally utilised by:
- Formulating concrete policy recommendations on the basis of interpretation of the results against the background of the existing scientific literature on social stratification with regard to food and health.
- Formulating recommendations concerning the dissemination of the results to major social interest groups which must be involved in the discussion, and framing of the results in ways which are clear for these groups.
- Formulating recommendations with regard to needed additional scientific research in this area, and the design of such studies.
The specific tasks of the PROJECT are the following:
A. Stocktaking of databases and research with regard to their usefulness.
A.1 For the various databases
- study of the available variables (definition, format, aggregation levels, etc.) and of the compatibility of these variables through the various databases
- modifications of variables where necessary
- standardisation of database format
- specific data cleaning depending on the needs of the project
A.2 Exploration of the usefulness of the various types of variables as a function of the social stratification concept. Discussion of this problematic with advisory committee (also on the basis of findings sub B)
B. Literature research
B.1 Extensive stock-taking of the existing research on social inequality and food (purchase and consumption) in Belgium and Europe, and possibly beyond.
B.2 Additional study with regard to the best statistical techniques for the models planned in the proposal.
B.3 Detailed analysis of the different models relating to mechanisms of social stratification. On this basis, development of the best possible indicators for social stratification in the Belgian databases, with possible differentiation according to various types of indicators, with related different levels of validity and interpretation.
C. Phase I
C.1 Description of the differences between social classes in purchasing and consumption. Feedback of the results to the advisory committee.
C.2 Economic time series analyses. Feedback of the results to the advisory committee.
C.3 Study of the consequences of the results described sub C1 with regard to the potential impact of social stratification on food-related health outcomes.
C.4 Interim reporting of results of phase I in consultation with O.S.T.C.
D. Phase II of the analyses, as a function of the results of phase I and after intensive discussion thereof with the advisory committee.
D.1 Simulation research with regard to both nutrients and contaminants in connection with the various intervention possibilities concerning food behaviour (see original research proposal)
D.2 Scenario of analyses concerning potential impact of price interventions on the intake of nutrients and contaminants and the link with health.
E. Phase III of the research: utilisation on the basis of the results from phases I and II and after thorough overall discussion of these results with the advisory committee:
- Formulation of concrete recommendations about policy on the basis of interpretation of the results against the background of the existing scientific literature on social stratification with regard to food and health.
- Formulation of recommendations concerning the dissemination of the results to major social interest groups which must be involved in the discussion, and framing of the results in ways which are clear for these groups.
- Formulation of recommendations with regard to necessary additional scientific research in this area, and the design of such studies.
Sociale stratificatie in aankoop en consumptie van voedingsmiddelen en de potentiële impact daarvan op de volksgezondheid : eindrapport
Mathys, Christophe - Januszewska, Renata - De Henauw, Stefaan Gent : Academia Press, 2004 (PB6032)
Stratification sociale dans l'achat et la consommation d'aliments/moyens nutritionnels et l'impact potentiel de celle-ci sur la santé publique : résumé
Bruxelles : Politique scientifique fédérale, 2003 (SP1259)
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Sociale stratificatie in aankoop en consumptie van voedingsmiddelen en de potentiële impact daarvan op de volksgezondheid : samenvatting
Brussel : Federaal Wetenschapsbeleid, 2003 (SP1260)
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Social stratification in the purchase and consumption of food items and its consequences for public health : summary
Brussels : Science Policy Office, 2003 (SP1261)
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Tabellen behorende bij de analyses consumptiedatabanken : annex eindrapport
Brussel : Federaal Wetenschapsbeleid, 2003 (SP1267)
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Bibliografic references :
