To examine changes in the proportions of daily, weekly and occasional consumers of sugar-sweetened soda in six European countries that introduced/updated a tax between 2001–2002 and 2017–2018 and in neighbouring comparison countries (without a tax).

Repeated cross-sectional surveys.

Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study, spanning five survey years (school years 2001–2002 to 2017–2018).

Nationally representative samples of 13-year- and 15-year-old adolescents (n 236 623, 51·0 % girls).

Tax sizes (€0·02/l to €0·22/l) and pre-tax soda consumption were heterogeneous across countries. Prevalence of daily soda consumption reduced in the survey year following tax implementation in Latvia (from 17·9 to 11·9 %, P = 0·01), Finland (4·2 to 2·5 %, P = 0·001), Belgium (35·1 to 27·8 %, P < 0·001) and Portugal (17·4 to 14·9 %, P = 0·02), but not in Hungary (29·8 to 31·3 %, P = 0·47) or France (29·4 to 28·2 %, P = 0·27). However, reductions were similar (Finland) or smaller (Belgium, Portugal) than those in the comparison countries, except in Latvia where the reduction was larger (Pinteraction < 0·001). Prevalence of weekly soda consumption remained stable (Finland, Hungary and France) or increased (Latvia, Belgium); only Portugal experienced a decline (P < 0·001), which was larger than in the comparison country (Pinteraction < 0·001). Prevalence of occasional soda consumption (<1x/week) did not rise after implementation of the tax in Latvia, Finland, Hungary, France or Belgium, or the rise was similar to the comparison country in Portugal (Pinteraction = 0·15).

Countries with a soda tax did not experience larger beneficial changes in post-tax adolescent consumption frequency of soda than comparison countries. Further studies, with different taxation types, are needed in the adolescent population.

Over the life course, transitions such as parenthood are described in sociological studies as periods of change in attitudes and health practices. The presence of children has been shown to modify adult dietary practices and daily timing of eating occasions, and that the arrival of a child in the household is perceived by parents to be related to changes in their dietary behaviors. Nevertheless, no epidemiological study has evaluated the impact by a longitudinal approach. The objective of our study was to assess the effect of the birth of a first child in a household on dietary intake and weight of adults over a 7-year follow-up period.

This study was conducted in 3955 adults included in the NutriNet-Santé cohort study between 2009 and 2010. At baseline and every year, dietary intakes were assessed using 24 h records. In this sample, 185 individuals experienced the birth of a first child in their household during the 7 years of follow-up. Changes in weight, assessed by self-administered questionnaire each year, were analyzed only in women (n = 115). Repeated measures of dietary intake and weight were analysed using mixed models adjusted for sex, age, education level and energy with random effects of time and period (before and after birth of the child) to assess changes following the life event.

The birth of a first child in the household was associated with a decrease in the score of adherence to French recommendations (PNNS score, β [95% CI] = -0.45 [-0.74; -0.16]), in intakes of fruits and vegetables, meat and processed meat, and vitamin C (respectively, β = -0.30 [-0.43; -0.17]); β = -0.20 [-0.32; -0.17]); β = -0.54 [0.88; -0.19])). The birth of a first child in the household was also associated with an increase in intakes of saturated fatty acids and sodium (respectively, β = 1.49 [0.51, 2.45]); β = 0.31 [0.20; 0.43])). The birth of a first child was associated with weight gain in women (β = 1.70 [1.07, 2.33]).

Our study has shown that the birth of a first child in the household was associated with rather unhealthy dietary changes. These results could be used to guide public health interventions by focusing on this specific life transition.

During adolescence, while the body is still in development, alcohol consumption can cause irreversible damages. Well-being and family, social and school environment may influence alcohol consumption among adolescents. According to their gender, they may be more or less receptive to some of these influences. Our aim was to identify potential gender differences in the correlates of alcohol consumption in early adolescence.

Analyses were based on 4,714 10–14-year-old adolescents attending schools in Wallonia, and included in the 2014 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) cross-sectional survey. Information were collected through self-administered questionnaires. Alcohol consumption was defined as having drunk at least one day during the last 30 days before the survey. Gender-stratified associations were estimated using multivariable logistic regressions.

Twenty percent of 10–14-year-old adolescents (boys: 21.6%; girls: 18.0%) reported having consumed alcohol during the past month. After adjustment, associations with age, frequency of contacts via social networks and frequency of outings with friends after class hours, were similar in both genders. Adolescents aged 13–14 years (vs. 10–12 years), those who communicated at least every week via social networks (vs. less than once a week) and those who met their friends at least once after class hours (vs. less than once a week) were more likely to consume alcohol.

Boys’ and girls’ 2nd-generation migrants and boys’ 1st-generation migrants (vs. natives) were less likely to have consumed alcohol in the past month. Furthermore, boys and girls with “low” Family Affluence Scale (FAS) and boys from “medium” FAS (vs. “high”) were less likely to have consumed alcohol.

In boys only, school satisfaction was significantly associated with alcohol consumption during the past month (vs. those who liked school a lot: those who liked school a bit (OR = 1.88 [1.13–0.84]) or did not like school very much (OR = 2.20 [1.32–3.66]) or did not like school at all (OR = 2.91 [1.69–5.02]).

In girls, family status (vs. two-parent families: stepfamilies (OR = 1.43 [1.05–1.95])) and life satisfaction (vs. “high”: “low” (OR = 1.63 [1.19–2.26])) were significantly associated with alcohol consumption.

Although both genders share common risk factors (age, peer relationships, migration status and socioeconomic status), some differences have been highlighted. In boys only, school satisfaction was inversely associated with alcohol consumption. High life satisfaction and living in two-parent families seemed to play a protective role in girls only. These results should help better identify adolescents to be targeted in campaigns preventing early alcohol consumption.

The transition from adolescence toward adulthood is a critical period regarding changes in dietary behaviours. Moreover at these ages, socio-economic and regional disparities in food group consumption are observed. The aim of our study was to determine how the nutritional quality of diet, measured by the modified Nutrient Profiling System of the British Food Standards Agency (FSAm-NPS), evolved between 2004 and 2014, according to socio-economic and regional characteristics of adolescents and young adults living in Belgium.

Two non-consecutive 24-hour dietary recalls were carried out in two nationally-representative samples of 15-to-39-year-old respondents included in the Belgian Food Consumption Surveys in 2004 (n = 1,186) and 2014 (n = 952). Weighting factor (according to age, gender, day of recall, season and province) and sample design were considered. The weighted mean individual FSAm-NPS was computed from all foods and beverages consumed and converted into a scale from 0 (less favourable diet) to 100 (more favourable diet). Slope (SII) and Relative (RII) Index of Inequality were compared between 2004 and 2014 in three age groups (15–18 y, 19–25 y and 26–39 y), adjusting for gender, energy intake, and other socio-economic and regional characteristics.

In the three age groups, the weighted mean FSAm-NPS significantly increased between 2004 and 2014 (2004: 55.2 (SEM: 0.2) vs. 2014: 57.3 (0.5), p < 0.001 in 15–18-year-olds; 54.9 (0.6) vs. 58.0 (0.4), p < 0.001 in 19–25-year-olds; 56.9 (0.3) vs 58.3 (0.3), p < 0.01 in 26–39-year-olds). While a significant FSAm-NPS gradient was observed according to household education among 15–18- and 26–39-year-olds in 2004 (adjusted SII: 2.56 (95% CI: 1.08–4.04) and 2.73 (0.34–5.12), respectively; RII: 1.05 (1.02–1.08) and 1.05 (1.01–1.09)), no significant difference was found in 2014. Conversely, no significant score disparity was observed according to household type in 2004, but disparities appeared in 2014: index of inequality were significant among subjects aged 19–25 y (SII: 3.89 (0.62–7.17); RII: 1.07 (1.01–1.13)) and 26–39 y (SII: 2.74 (0.31–5.17); RII: 1.05 (1.01–1.09)), the FSAm-NPS being more favourable for those living in two-parent families. The FSAm-NPS was generally higher for subjects living in Flanders than those in Wallonia (significant SII and RII only among 26–39-year-olds), the magnitude of regional disparities remaining stable over time.

Overall FSAm-NPS improved during this 10-year period, but differentially according to family structure and household education. However, statistical power was weakened by the limited sample size. Additional investigations of changes in food group consumption disparities will complement our interpretations.

To explore dietary differences according to socio-economic and sociocultural characteristics of adolescents and young adults.

A systematic review was conducted.

The main search source was MEDLINE, consulted between January 2012 and March 2017. Quality of selected studies was assessed based on dietary measurement method, sample selection, socio-economic indicator choice and statistical modelling.

Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, assessing relationships between socio-economic status and dietary intake (patterns, scores and food groups) in the 10- to 40-year-old general population of high-income countries, were selected.

Among the 7250 reports identified, forty were selected, seventeen of which were of high quality; their conclusions, related only to adolescents, were combined and presented. The most favourable dietary patterns, higher dietary scores, greater consumption of fruits, vegetables and dairy products, and lower consumption of sugary sweetened beverages and energy-dense foods, were associated with better parental socio-economic status, particularly in terms of higher education. Migrant status was associated with plant-based patterns, greater consumption of fruits and vegetables and of sugary sweetened beverages and energy-dense foods. For the other food groups, and for young adults, very few high-quality studies were found.

The socio-economic gradient in adolescent diets requires confirmation by higher-grade studies of a wider set of food groups and must be extended to young adult populations. Future nutritional interventions should involve the most vulnerable adolescent populations, taking account of socio-economic status and migration.

The specific role of major socio-economic indicators (education, occupation, income) in influencing consumer choice of animal foods (AF) intake could reveal distinct socio-economic facets, thus enabling elucidation of mechanisms leading to social inequalities in health. We investigated the independent association of each indicator with intake of different AF and their effect modification.

Cross-sectional study. AF intake was estimated using three 24 h dietary records. Associations between socio-economic factors and AF intake and interactions between socio-economic indicators were assessed using ANCOVA adjusted for age and energy intake. Analyses were performed separately for men and women, since gender interactions were found.

France.

Adults (n 92 036) participating in the NutriNet-Santé Study.

Low educated persons had higher intake of red meat (+9–12 g/d), processed meat (+6–9 g/d) and poultry (for men, +7 g/d) than those with a higher education level. Percentage of fish consumers was lower in individuals of the lowest income class compared with those in higher classes. Manual workers had a higher intake of cream desserts (for men, +14 g/d) than managerial staff. Few significant interactions were found. In stratified analyses, persons with the highest income consumed more yoghurt than those who had lower income, only in low educated individuals.

Socio-economic disparities in AF intake varied according to the socio-economic indicator, suggesting the specific influence of each indicator on AF intake. In particular, lower education was associated with higher intake of red and processed meats and cream desserts, and had an effect modification on the relationship between income and AF intake.

To identify patterns of perception of front-of-pack (FOP) nutrition labels and to determine social factors, nutritional knowledge and attention to packaging features related to such patterns.

Cross-sectional. Perception was measured using indicators of understanding and acceptability of three simple FOP labels (the ‘Green Tick’, the logo of the French Nutrition and Health Programme (PNNS logo) and ‘simple traffic lights’ (STL)) and two detailed formats (‘multiple traffic lights’ (MTL) and the ‘colour range’ logo (CR)). Associations of perception patterns with individual characteristics were examined using χ2 tests.

Data from the French NutriNet-Santé cohort study.

A total of 38 763 adults.

Four perception patterns emerged. Poorly educated individuals were most often found in groups favouring simple formats. The ‘favourable to CR’ group had a high rate of men and older persons. Poor nutritional knowledge was more frequent in the ‘favourable to STL’ group, while individuals with substantial knowledge were proportionally more numerous in the ‘favourable to MTL’ group. The ‘favourable to STL’ group more frequently self-reported noting price and marketing characteristics during purchasing, while the ‘favourable to MTL’ and ‘favourable to CR’ groups declared more interest in nutritional information. The ‘favourable to Green Tick and PNNS logo’ group self-reported paying closer attention to claims and quality guarantee labels.

The ‘favourable to MTL’ cluster was most frequently represented in our survey. However, simple FOP formats may be most appropriate for increasing awareness of healthy eating among targeted groups with poor nutritional knowledge and little interest in the nutritional quality of packaged foods.

To describe detailed physical activity and sedentary behaviour in French adults across physical activity categories.

The French Nutrition and Health Survey (Etude Nationale Nutrition Santé, ENNS), conducted in 2006–2007, was a national cross-sectional survey based on three-stage random sampling. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to classify participants into three physical activity categories. Time spent in a sitting position and time spent in front of a screen were used as markers of sedentary behaviour.

France.

Adults (n 2971) aged 18 to 74 years were included.

Overall, 29·5 % of men and 23·6 % of women were classified into the high-IPAQ category, while 36·1 % of men and 37·5 % of women were in the low-IPAQ category. For each intensity level of physical activity (vigorous intensity, moderate intensity or walking), the number of active days per week decreased from the high- to the low-IPAQ category and daily duration of physical activity was longer in the high-IPAQ category than in the other two categories; 6 % of adults declared neither vigorous nor moderate nor walking activities.

For most adults in the low-IPAQ category, an increasing number of active days per week would be sufficient to attain the moderate-IPAQ category. This should be taken into account in public health initiatives aimed at promoting physical activity.

To describe ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal purchases in 2008 in the USA according to cereal nutritional quality and marketing strategy and household sociodemographic characteristics.

Cross-sectional study of purchases in one year. Each type of cereal was assigned to one of four nutrition quality categories (based on Nutrient Profile Index, NPI) and one of four advertising categories based on television exposure and analysis of packaging (child-targeted, family-targeted, adult-targeted and no television advertising). Medians and distributions of purchase indicators were calculated for the cereal categories and the distributions were compared across sociodemographic groups.

RTE cereals (n 249) with complete label and nutritional content.

RTE cereal purchases according to household sociodemographic characteristics obtained from Nielsen Homescan, a nationally representative panel of households.

Purchases of RTE cereals were highest in households with one or more child and lowest in African-American and Asian households, as well as those earning <$US 30 000 per annum. The lowest-quality products were purchased by four times as many households as the highest-quality cereals, but loyalty to these products was lower. Purchases of cereals by households with children and in African-American and Hispanic households increased as cereal nutritional quality declined. Compared with non-advertised products, advertised child-targeted cereals were purchased thirteen times more frequently; family-targeted brand purchases were ten times higher; and adult-targeted cereals were purchased four times more frequently.

Our findings suggest that improving the nutritional quality of RTE cereals with advertising targeted to children could also lead to increased consumption of healthier products by young people.