Inequalities in Diet Quality by sociodemographic characteristics, smoking and weight status in a large UK-based cohort using a new UK Diet Quality Questionnaire -UKDQQ

The aim of this study was to explore the associations between diet quality, sociodemographic measures, smoking and weight status in a large, cross-sectional cohort of adults living in Yorkshire and Humber, UK.
Data from 43, 023 participants aged over 16 years in the Yorkshire Health Survey, 2nd wave (2013-2015) were collected on diet quality, sociodemographic measures, smoking and weight status. Diet quality was assessed using a brief, validated tool. Associations between these variables were assessed using multiple regression methods. Split-sample cross-validation was utilised to establish model portability.
Observed patterns in the sample showed that the greatest substantive differences were between females and males (3.94 points; pInequalities in patterns of diet quality in the cohort were consistent with those indicated by the findings of other observational studies. The findings indicate population subgroups that are at higher risk of dietary related ill health due to poor quality diet and provide evidence for the design of targeted national policy and interventions to prevent dietary related ill health in these groups. The findings support further research exploring inequalities in diet quality in the population.