La perception des messages de santé par les populations défavorisées

In a context of diffusion of nutritional recommendations and of the PNNS program, this contribution analyses the perception of the recommendations in the lower social strata, compared to the upper one. It underlines the existence of significant social inequalities. Thus, in the lower strata, the injunction, for health reasons, of a higher consumption of fruits and vegetables, and of a lower one of fat and sweet foodstuffs, and the incentive for regular physical activity are not compatible with the financial constraints of these deprived strata, with the representation of a “proper meal” and with the representations of an ideal body shared by these social categories. Consequently, these poorer strata, in a broad meaning, constitute a real issue, because they perceive more often the recommendations as external injunctions. In order to be more effective, the public health policy should take in account the constraints, daily practices and representations of this social category.