A proposed research agenda for the study of educational inequities in diet quality

Bibliographic Data

ID15096243
AuthorsDana Lee Olstad (0000-0001-9787-9952, University of Calgary, corresponding author), Lee Mcintyre (0000-0003-0607-8151, University of Calgary), Lynn Mcintyre (0000-0002-5768-0700, University of Calgary)
Year2026
Volume29
Issue1
Pagese8-e8
Publication date2026-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePublic Health Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1368-9800 • E-ISSN: 1475-2727
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s1368980025101663
PMID41532401
OpenAlexW7124171875
LanguageEN
References cited10

Educational attainment is a key determinant of diet quality. The overarching pathways (i.e. theories and mechanisms) through which educational attainment shapes diet quality remain largely unexplored in the nutrition literature, and the most salient pathways likely differ across time, populations and socio-economic and political contexts. This commentary proposes a research agenda and outlines methodological considerations that are intended to better illuminate the educational attainment–diet quality relationship. From an extensive review of the literature, which led to two publications pertinent to the topic, we identified three major research gaps that should be addressed to better understand how educational attainment stratifies diet quality to guide interventions and inform equity-enhancing policies: (1) interrogating the construct of educational attainment; (2) comparative population–level and subgroup studies; and (3) root cause analyses and structural reforms. We also discuss methodological considerations needed to inform future studies of associations between educational attainment and diet quality

Construct (python library · Educational attainment · Psychological intervention · Quality (philosophy · Salient · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Nutritional Studies and Diet · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet