New research released by the Economic and Social Research Council indicates that teenagers’ attitudes to diet and weight are determined by their social class. This is the first study that shows the impact everyday practices and perceptions of various social classes have on diet, weight and health of teenagers.
Dr Wendy Wills of the University of Hertfordshire, who led the research, says that it was quite evident that children were moulded according to parents’ expectations about behaviour. The research shows family values, life and parenting by looking into diet, weight and health of middle class teenagers, their parents and comparing them with a previous study carried out on working class families. These families anticipate their children’s future and expect their young teenagers’ to develop good taste and body shape in order to have an active adult life. Parents of middle class families were concerned about overweight children and how that would lead to poor health later on in life, low self esteem and ability to take up opportunities in life. While middle class families strove to improve diets and lifestyles of their children, they also lacked social and cultural abilities and money to make the desired changes happen.
The newly published research proves why disparities still remain in diet, health and weight. NHS Scotland has used the research to assist Health Boards implement child healthy weight initiatives as well as the Department of Health’s new Healthy Living social marketing initiative. Policymakers however do not expect quick results due to the complex, embedded nature of family practices and beliefs.