Dietary habits of adolescents in Estonia: equity and social determinants

WHO/Europe, 2013: The dietary habits of adolescents belonging to families from low socioeconomic groups are believed to be of low quality because of economic restrictions. This case study provides the analysis that has thus far been missing on the dietary habits of adolescents belonging to families from low socioeconomic groups in Estonia. The analysis is based on data from the Health Behavior in School-aged Children survey and involves 4477 pupils aged 11–15 years from general education schools in Estonia from the academic year 2005/2006. The case study concludes that adolescents belonging to families from low socioeconomic groups in Estonia are less likely to eat fi ve portions of fruit and vegetables a day when compared with adolescents belonging to families from higher socioeconomic groups. The best investment at governmental level that would improve the quality of the dietary habits of adolescents belonging to families from low socioeconomic groups in Estonia is to ensure state-subsidized school lunch and fruit for all pupils.