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Background: The specific role of major socio-economic indicators in influencing food preparation behaviours could reveal distinct socio-economic patterns, thus enabling mechanisms to be understood that contribute to social inequalities in health. This study investigated whether there was an independent association of each socio-economic indicator (education, occupation, income) with food preparation behaviours.Methods: A total of 62,373 adults participating in the web-based NutriNet-Santé cohort study were included in our cross-sectional analyses. Cooking skills, preparation from scratch and kitchen equipment were assessed using a 0-10-point score; frequency of meal preparation, enjoyment of cooking and willingness to cook better/more frequently were categorical variables. Independent associations between socio-economic factors (education, income and occupation) and food preparation behaviours were assessed using analysis of covariance and logistic regression models stratified by sex. The models simultaneously included the three socio-economic indicators, adjusting for age, household composition and whether or not they were the main cook in the household.Results: Participants with the lowest education, the lowest income group and female manual and office workers spent more time preparing food daily than participants with the highest education, those with the highest income and managerial staff (P < 0.0001). The lowest educated individuals were more likely to be non-cooks than those with the highest education level (Women: OR = 3.36 (1.69;6.69); Men: OR = 1.83 (1.07;3.16)) while female manual and office workers and the never-employed were less likely to be non-cooks (OR = 0.52 (0.28;0.97); OR = 0.30 (0.11;0.77)). Female manual and office workers had lower scores of preparation from scratch and were less likely to want to cook more frequently than managerial staff (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001). Women belonging to the lowest income group had a lower score of kitchen equipment (P < 0.0001) and were less likely to enjoy cooking meal daily (OR = 0.68 (0.45;0.86)) than those with the highest income.Conclusion: Lowest socio-economic groups, particularly women, spend more time preparing food than high socioeconomic groups. However, female manual and office workers used less raw or fresh ingredients to prepare meals than managerial staff. In the unfavourable context in France with reduced time spent preparing meals over last decades, our findings showed socioeconomic disparities in food preparation behaviours in women, whereas few differences were observed in men. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study investigates patterns of food shopping and availability of fruit and vegetables and snack foods in a northern European (Central England) and southern European region (Southern France). Methods: Two studies were conducted in England (Nottingham) and France (Montpellier): (i) Cross-sectional population surveys using self-administered postal questionnaires to assess type of outlets used for food shopping in random population samples (England: n = 826; Montpellier: n = 766). (ii) Food availability studies to determine: the number of food outlets in defined comparable geographical areas; the number stocking fruit and vegetables, their quality and energy dense snacks. Results: The English respondents used supermarkets most regularly (P<0.001), whereas the French preferred to use smaller local shops, such as bakers (P<0.001), butchers (P<0.001) and markets (P<0.001). Overall a larger proportion of outlets in Montpellier than Nottingham sold fresh fruit and vegetables and a wider variety of fresh fruit. However, a range of vegetables and all other types of fruit were as widely available in English shops. Although the quality of fresh fruit and vegetables tended to be better in Montpellier, the difference was not significant. Crisps (P<0.05) and confectionary items (P< 0.05) were more widely available in England. Conclusions: Food shopping was done 'under one roof' more often in England, whereas in France, shopping was done in smaller specialist shops, which was reflected in their presence within the locality. Even though availability of fruit and vegetables was good in both countries, snack foods were more abundant in England. This clearly impacts on the food environment and could explain the higher prevalence of obesity in England, factors which are also influenced by culture, habits and convenience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author discusses the impact of plastic food packaging to the health of people in Great Britain. He mentions that the plastic packaging that encases the food they purchase has changed their relationship with food where they are constrained by poor dietary choice, just as food is encased in its cellophane. He states that plastic alienates invisibly the people from many significant aspects of food preparation, production and consumption that once enabled them to make safe nutritional choices.

Abstract: Commercial fruit and vegetable box schemes are rapidly growing initiatives that allow customers to make local, organic food choices. This study investigated the socio-demographic profile of consumers using local commercial box schemes, and investigated the barriers and motivations of customers. Cross-sectional surveys using identical questionnaires were conducted in Montpellier, France and Nottingham, England. Box scheme users in both countries were primarily rather affluent professionals. The English reported access to local produce that has travelled less food miles (a more altruistic reason) to be the most important motive to purchasing from the box scheme, whereas the French stated quality of produce (a more hedonistic reason) to be key. Both countries ranked ecological commitment and access to organic food as the next most important influences on their participation. The findings reinforce the importance of food quality and pleasure for the French generally, although once this fundamental criterion has been fulfilled, French box scheme users appear equally motivated by contributing positively to the ecosystem. In England, the desire to eat out of season food was cited as the main barrier to making more sustainable food choices. Cost was an important obstacle to increasing consumption of food from sustainable sources in both countries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]