Factors Affecting Inequality in the Quality Diets: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Objectives: the current dietary pattern is found increasingly unsafe, unstable, and unequal for a huge part of the populations. Disadvantaged populations were usually known by less healthy diets and were at a higher risk of disease in comparison with high socioeconomic groups. The current scoping review study aims at indicating the effective factors on inequality in the quality of diets.

Methods: the academic databases, including Scopus, Web of science, PubMed, Scientific Information Database, Islamic World Science Citation Center, Google scholar search engine, World Health Organization, and the website of the European Union, until April 2021, were systematically reviewed. We used vote counting technique to identify the effective factors causing inequality in the quality of diets.

Results: The factors that have caused inequality in the quality of diets were divided into 3 categories of demographic, lifestyle, and socioeconomic. It was found that any increase in age, income, education, different ethnic groups, smoking, and occupational statues increased inequality in diet quality. Also, as a factor physical activity, could reduce inequality in diet quality. Moreover, type of residence in terms of access to food, dominant available food, and culture of the area could cause inequality in diet quality.

Conclusions: According to the results of this study, the effective factors on inequality in the quality of diet are demographic and socioeconomic factors that cannot be manipulated by policy makers. Nevertheless, increasing the knowledge of individuals, improving their lifestyle, and providing subsidies to poorer individuals reduce inequality in the quality of the diets.

Keywords: harmful diet; inequality; nutrition quality.