– Across national borders, we found that children in families with lower education and income had a lower probability of being breastfed. They were more likely to eat unhealthy food and spend more time in front of the TV. They were also more often exposed to passive smoking.
That’s what Jennifer Harris, researcher at the Center for Fertility and Health at FHI, says. In the fresh studies researchers from various countries have studied data from over 60,000 children in eleven European cities.
To understand the connection between socio-economic background and the environment in which the children grow up, the researchers looked at the family’s total income and the mother’s level of education.
Even before starting school, children from low-income families generally score worse on factors that promote good health and a healthy diet.
– This does not mean that all children in low-income families get more unhealthy food or are exposed to second-hand smoke, but that it is more common in low-income families than in families with high income and education, explains Harris.
Among the participants from Oslo, children of mothers with low education were almost five times more likely to be exposed to passive smoking than children of mothers with higher education.
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**Interview with Jennifer Harris, Researcher at the Center for Fertility and Health**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Jennifer. Your recent study highlighted some concerning findings about children in families with lower education and income. Can you elaborate on what you discovered regarding breastfeeding and dietary habits?
**Jennifer Harris:** Certainly. Our research, which analyzed data from over 60,000 children across eleven European cities, revealed that children from lower-income, less-educated families had a lower likelihood of being breastfed. These children often consume unhealthy foods more frequently and are at a greater risk for behavioral habits such as excessive screen time and exposure to passive smoking.
**Interviewer:** That’s alarming. You mentioned that this doesn’t mean all children from these backgrounds face these issues, but you noted a significant correlation. Can you discuss some of the specific statistics that stood out to you, especially from Oslo?
**Jennifer Harris:** One of the most striking findings was that children of mothers with low education in Oslo were almost five times more likely to be exposed to passive smoking compared to those whose mothers had higher education levels. This underscores the impact that socio-economic status can have on children’s health outcomes from a very young age.
**Interviewer:** Given these findings, what do you think can be done at a community and policy level to address these disparities?
**Jennifer Harris:** There are several avenues to consider, such as increasing access to education for parents, promoting breastfeeding initiatives, and creating healthier environments for children. Community programs that provide nutritional education and support can also play a pivotal role in bridging the gap.
**Interviewer:** That leads me to an important question for our readers: How do you think society can better support families in need to ensure that children grow up in healthier environments? What are your thoughts on potential policies or programs that could make a difference?
**Jennifer Harris:** I believe this is a critical discussion that can help shape future initiatives. Encouraging readers to reflect on their own communities might spark some valuable ideas on how to address these pressing issues.
