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Objective:

To examine associations between seven indicators of socio-economic circumstances and healthy food habits, while taking into account assumed temporal order between these socio-economic indicators.

Design and setting:

Data were derived from cross-sectional postal questionnaires in 2000–2002. Socio-economic circumstances were assessed by parental education, childhood economic difficulties, own education, occupational class, household income, home ownership and current economic difficulties. Healthy food habits were measured by an index consisting of consumption of fresh vegetables, fruit or berries, rye bread, fish and choosing vegetable fats on bread and oil in cooking. Sequential logistic regression models were used, adjusting for age and marital status.

Participants:

Employees of the City of Helsinki, Finland (n= 8960, aged 40–60 years).

Results:

Healthy food habits were reported by 28 …