Background
There are alarming signs of links between low-income, food consumption, nutrition behaviour and health. At EU-level poverty is more prevalent in households with dependent children. In Germany and other European countries there is a great need for detailed analysis of factors determining the situation of young children.

Aim
Documentation of statistical data and existing studies referring to the context of nutrition, health and poverty.

Presenting the results of a qualitative study of low income households with school children. Discussion of strategies to reach the target group.

Methods
Evaluation of statistical data and existing investigations in the European Community.

Analysis of the shopping and nutritional behaviour of families living in poverty (n=15) in the town of Giessen/Germany (1997 – 1998).

Main field tests: Semi-structured interviews, questions testing respondents` knowledge and understanding of healthy eating and drinking, shopping records.

Results
None of the European wide studies on poverty have focused on the role of food and nutritional behaviour in promoting and sustaining health in particular with respect to children of low-income households.

By analysing the empirical data of the low-income households in Giessen a lack of essential vitamins and minerals and other aspects of malnutrition (missing knowledge and skills of buying and preparing healthy food and meals) had been identified. Those who live in long-term poverty develop complex ways of managing their budgets by eating different foods or less food. The purchase and nutrition behaviour of the mothers and their male partners has consequences for the childcare responsibilities.

Conclusions
Low-income households, especially the mothers as the gatekeepers to families, require nutrition education and health promotion programmes.