Despite regional variations in health patterns throughout the United Kingdom(1) and recognition that some health inequalities are linked to inequalities in nutrition(Reference Smith and Brunner2), there is relatively little evidence about small scale geographical differences in diet. The UK Women's Cohort Study(Reference Cade, Burley and Greenwood3) provides an opportunity to explore such differences as it contains both dietary and geographic data. Fibre in the diet is associated with health benefits including a reduced risk of coronary heart disease(Reference Liu, Stampfer and Hu4), some cancers(Reference Cade, Burley and Greenwood5,Reference Aune, Chan and Lau6) and type 2 diabetes mellitus(Reference Montonen, Knekt and Jarvinen7). This study considers whether there are regional variations in dietary fibre intake among women in England contributing to differences in diet.
Dietary fibre intake by fraction (total fibre, soluble fibre and insoluble fibre) and by English region of residence was explored using mapping techniques. The relationship between total dietary fibre intakes and region of residence was investigated using ordinary least squares regression modelling.
Choropleth maps indicated spatial variations in mean intakes of each fibre fraction. Regression modelling showed a small positive, significant difference in total fibre intake for the North East, the East Midlands and the South West, compared to Yorkshire and the Humber, the region with mean total fibre intakes closest to the mean for the whole sample (26·2 g/day).
Multivariate Model adjusted for age, sweaty activity, alcohol intake, energy intake, quintile of index of multiple deprivation, smoking status, dietary pattern and marital status.
The study shows that there are spatial variations in women's dietary fibre consumption throughout England among the UK Women's Cohort Study. Although small, these differences in dietary fibre intake between the regions may be important for health outcomes.