Leuven, Belgium

Within EURRECA, the Catholic University of Leuven is particularly concerned with the link between nutrition and social class.

Lower social classes have a significantly higher mortality and morbidity and yet the reasons are still poorly understood. Higher levels of smoking, obesity, psychosocial stress and an unhealthy nutrition are the major causes, all in theory correctible. Lower social classes consume more calories, salt, saturated fat, non-wine alcohol and less fruit and vegetables than other social groups. Fruit and vegetables are the major sources of micronutrients.

Our contribution to EURRECA is to reach a consensus on the specific nutritional needs of the lower social classes, and this includes a clear description [‘delineation’] of the mortality and morbidity differences and of the nutritional inadequacies.