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Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the association between different dimensions of socioeconomic position, body mass index (BMI) and obesity in the Danish population. Possible interactions between the different dimensions and gender differences were also investigated., Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2000-2002 including a simple random sample from the civil registration system, comprising 1953 males and 2167 females aged 4-75 years. Information about different dimensions of socioeconomic position, height and weight was obtained by face-to-face interview. Associations between dimensions of socioeconomic position and weight status were examined by use of linear multiple regression analysis and logistic regression analysis., Results: BMI and prevalence of obesity were significantly associated with education for both men and women. Odds ratios (ORs) for obesity were 2.9 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4-5.9) and 6.5 (95% CI 2.3-18.7) for those with basic school as compared with those with long higher education for men and women, respectively. Women outside the labour market had higher BMIs and a greater prevalence of obesity (OR 2.5 (95% CI 1.6-3.9)) after adjustment for educational level., Conclusions: Education was the dimension most consistently associated with BMI and obesity, indicating the importance of cultural capital for weight status. The gender-specific pattern showed a stronger social gradient for women, and indicated that a high relative body weight was associated with less favourable social and material conditions for women, but not for men. A public health strategy to prevent and reduce obesity should be gender-specific, focus on groups with short education, and incorporate cultural norms.

Background/objectives:To identify and describe dietary patterns in Danish adults and to examine which demographic and health-related lifestyle factors are associated with dietary patterns.Subjects/methods:Data derived from the Danish national survey of diet and physical activity collected in 2003-2008 and included 1569 men and 1785 women. Diet was assessed by a 7-day pre-coded food diary. Information on age, gender, weight, height, physical activity, smoking habits, educational level and attitudes towards healthy eating habits was derived from face-to-face interviews. Principal component analysis was applied to explore dietary patterns. Associations with lifestyle factors were examined by means of multiple regression analyses.Results:Three major dietary patterns were identified: a 'traditional' pattern correlated with intake of rye bread, white bread, fat on bread, cheese, jam, cold meat, minced meat, potatoes and gravy, and cake and biscuits; a 'health-conscious' pattern correlated with coarse bread, fruit, vegetables, low-fat dairy, nuts, water and tea; and a 'fast food' pattern correlated with pizza, hamburger/spring rolls, crisps, rice and pasta, sugar-sweetened soft drinks and sweets. The 'traditional' pattern was positively associated with male gender and age, whereas the 'health-conscious' pattern was positively associated with being female, increasing age and educational level. The 'fast food' pattern was inversely associated with age and smoking.Conclusions:Three distinct dietary patterns were identified, and associated lifestyle and demographic factors were characterised. The findings are valuable in targeting future nutrition education and will enable more focused strategies in communicating food-based dietary guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]