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Background Principles for organic farming

Socio-demographic characteristics and food habits of organic consumers – A study from the Danish National Birth Cohort. Supported by the Danish Fund for Organic Agriculture and the European Union Integrated Research Project EARNEST Sesilje Bondo Petersen Morten Arendt Rasmussen Marin Str ø m

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Background Principles for organic farming

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  1. Socio-demographic characteristics and food habits of organic consumers – A study from the Danish National Birth Cohort Supported by the Danish Fund for Organic Agriculture and the European Union Integrated Research Project EARNEST Sesilje Bondo Petersen Morten Arendt Rasmussen Marin Strøm Thorhallur Ingi Halldorsson Sjurdur F. Olsen

  2. Background Principles for organic farming Restrictive use of: Chemically produced pesticides Inorganic fertilizer Antibiotics Other helping compounds and additives. Absolute prohibition of genetic modified organisms (GMO’s). Animal welfare – the animals have lots of space inside and are held outdoors in the summer . Feeding with organic fodder. Selection of plant and animal species which are resistant to several diseases and adapted to the local environment.

  3. Scientific knowledge Who are consumers of organic foods? Complex web of determinants: Availability in food stores, socio-demographic and cultural factors, social and human values and attitudes. Higher intake tends to be related to vegetarianism (Schifferstein, 1998; Torjusen, 2010; among others), educational level and urbanization (Torjusen, 2004; O'Doherty Jensen, 2001; Wier, 2008) Few studies comparing the diet of non and frequent users Tendency to higher intake of fruit and vegetables and lower meat intake (Brombacher, 1990; Holt, 1992; Denver, 2007). Health considerations are a major factor underlying the growth in consumption (O'Doherty Jensen, 2008; Torjusen, 2004; Midmore, 2008; among others)

  4. Scientific knowledge Lack of high quality studies due to: biological and chemical studies are often incomparable, as chemical composition in crops is easily affected by temperature, soil and sort. Few comparable animal studies exist, and some may not be relevant for today’s farming practice. Very few intervention studies or prospective observational studies. The observational study design is complicated by the role of potential confounding factors.

  5. Aim of the project The aim of this study was to: Develop a basis for building models that can examine impact of organic food choices on maternal and offspring health among Danish pregnant women. Identify factors associated with OF consumption Employ multivariate methods to identify underlying patterns and to define latent variables that can capture the variability in organic food choices in the study population.

  6. Method The Danish National Birth Cohort 60.773 women recruited between 1996 and 2002 Multiple pregnancies are excluded from the study. Four telephone interviews (two prenatal, week 12 and 30 and two postnatal, 6 and 18 months). Semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) mailed to the women in week 25 of gestation. Do you eat organic foods?

  7. Method Organic food index Organic index: 6 ≤ X ≤ 24, divided in four groups: Non users (X = 6) Low users (6 < X  12) Moderate users (12 < X  18) Frequent users (X >18). The index is adjusted for vegetarian or vegan dietary habits.

  8. Results Food index ratio: 12% Non users 44% Low users 37% Moderate users 7% Frequent users

  9. Results

  10. Results

  11. ResultsPrincipal component analysis – food groups

  12. ResultsMultiple linear regression – food groups (p<0.05) (p>0.05) Covariates: cohabitation status, age, smoking habits, parity, prepregnant BMI, occupational status, physical activity, energy intake, urbanization and living area. (p<0.05) (p>0.05)

  13. ResultsMultiple linear regression - nutrients (p<0.05) Covariates: cohabitation status, age, smoking habits, parity, prepregnant BMI, occupational status, physical activity, urbanization and living area. (p<0.05) (p>0.05)

  14. Conclusion Frequent organic users in DNBC: had a healthier lifestyle. consumed a more prudent diet with higher intake of fruit and vegetables, fiber, vitamins, minerals, n-3 fatty acids and less saturated fat. had a higher occupational status. were living in urban areas. Impact of a social gradient on organic food purchasing behavior. Major challenge due to potentially irremediable confounding by generally healthier food choices among frequent users. Strong basis for later advancement of strategies for analyses that can allow for unbalance in data.

  15. Acknowledgement Thanks for inspiring cooperation to: Hanne Torjusen Helle Margrete Meltzer Anne Lise Brantsæter Margaretha Haugen Division of Environmental Medicine, Norwegian Institute of Public Health.

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