Symposium on ‘The challenge of translating nutrition research into public health nutrition’ Session 1: Public health nutrition Nutrition and social disadvantage in Ireland

The extent to which inequalities in health status are mediated through nutritional pathways in individuals and across population groups has received extensive attention in recent years(1). It is well established in the international literature that such health inequalities exist across different socio-demographic groups, and Ireland exhibits a similar variability(2,3), with a pattern that stretches back decades(4,5). The concentration on escalating obesity trends in particular has generated considerable discussion as it becomes apparent that social position relates to likelihood of becoming obese(6,7). The World Health Organization has highlighted the global scale of food poverty, which sees some individuals still deprived of basic foods and nutrients and others with more than adequate energy supplies but from energy-dense relatively-nutrient-poor sources(6) . As to why some individuals are at more health disadvantage than others is controversial. Most immediate proximal explanations are differences in lifestyle. Disadvantaged individuals consume qualitatively-lessadequate foods, are more likely to smoke and on average, particularly middle-aged and older individuals, take less exercise(2,3). However, it is not as simple as individuallevel choice. The health promotion literature indicates that health-related decisions are highly contextual and influenced by a variety of factors, both in the immediate environment and associated with consequences of public policy. This position is most clearly demonstrated in relation to food choices(7). The present paper will address the question of nutrition and disadvantage in the contemporary Republic of Ireland, highlighting the context in that country but also with wider application to the health inequalities literature. It is presented in four sections. First, there is an overview of the context of disadvantage in Ireland, followed by a summary of recent social trends in eating patterns in Ireland, with particular reference to obesity. The third section will address the concept of Abbreviations: GMS, General Medical Services; SLAN, National Survey of Lifestyles, Attitudes and Nutritio