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Dawson E, Chung A, Vargas C, Backholer K, Lee A, Lewis M, Brooks R, Schultz S, Bennett R, Martino F, Zorbas C. The Price of Foods, Beverages, and Diets in Australia: An Updated Systematic Review. Nutr Rev 2024:nuae129. [PMID: 39301622 DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuae129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2024] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT The price and affordability of food are priorities for public health and health equity; however, Australia lacks a consistent method to evaluate healthy versus unhealthy diets, creating a gap in routine food price reporting. OBJECTIVE This review aimed to identify and summarize recent methods used to assess and monitor the price and/or affordability of food and beverages in Australia using a health lens. DATA SOURCES Four academic databases (MEDLINE Complete, Global Health, CINAHL Complete, and Business Source Complete) were searched in English from 2016 to 2022. Relevant gray literature was searched through Google Scholar and government websites. DATA EXTRACTION Five reviewers screened titles and abstracts, and full-text screening was conducted by 1 reviewer, with eligibility confirmed by a second reviewer. The quality of studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute "Checklist for Analytical Cross-Sectional Studies." DATA ANALYSIS Twenty-five eligible studies were identified. Eleven studies used a version of the Healthy Diets Australian Standardized Affordability and Pricing protocol to collect prices for a "healthy" diet modelled on dietary guidelines and an "unhealthy" diet based on a habitual Australian diet. These studies consistently found unhealthy diets to be more expensive than healthy diets. Other identified methods included assessing the price of household diets across healthy baskets (n = 6), store types (n = 5), a planetary health diet (n = 1), packaged foods according to their Health Star Rating (n = 1), a fruit and vegetable basket (n = 1), school canteen foods against a traffic light system (n = 1), and weekly healthy meal plans (n = 1). Healthy diets tended to be less costly than less healthy diets, but both diets were often unaffordable in regional areas, for people on low incomes, and for First Nations peoples. CONCLUSION Consistent country-wide application of methods for monitoring the price and affordability of foods and diets in Australia is needed-including tailored approaches for priority groups. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION PROSPERO registration no. CRD42022333531.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Dawson
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Institute for Health Transformation, Geelong, 3220, Australia
| | - Alexandra Chung
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, 3800, Australia
| | - Carmen Vargas
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Institute for Health Transformation, Geelong, 3220, Australia
| | - Kathryn Backholer
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Institute for Health Transformation, Geelong, 3220, Australia
| | - Amanda Lee
- The School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4006, Australia
| | - Meron Lewis
- The School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4006, Australia
| | - Ruby Brooks
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Institute for Health Transformation, Geelong, 3220, Australia
| | - Sally Schultz
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Institute for Health Transformation, Geelong, 3220, Australia
| | - Rebecca Bennett
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Institute for Health Transformation, Geelong, 3220, Australia
| | - Florentine Martino
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Institute for Health Transformation, Geelong, 3220, Australia
| | - Christina Zorbas
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Institute for Health Transformation, Geelong, 3220, Australia
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Seth AK, Krishnan A, Nongkynrih B, Bairwa M. Healthier Food Purchase and Its Determinants in an Urban Resettlement Colony of Delhi. Ecol Food Nutr 2023; 62:243-253. [PMID: 37694969 DOI: 10.1080/03670244.2023.2257606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Dietary risk, one of the major risk factors for the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases, is influenced by household food choices and purchases. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 250 randomly selected households of an urban resettlement colony in Delhi to estimate the proportion of households purchasing different healthier food options during the last purchasing occasion and to identify its key determinants. Purchase of healthier options in staple items like wheat flour with fiber (100%), plant-based oils (97.9%), unpolished pulses (96.2%), and toned milk (94.5%) was high. Affordability and health considerations in food purchases were identified as key determinants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aswani Kumar Seth
- Centre for Community Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Anand Krishnan
- Centre for Community Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Baridalyne Nongkynrih
- Centre for Community Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Mohan Bairwa
- Centre for Community Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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Molenaar A, Bucello P, Kleve S. Harnessing community expertise in understanding food insecurity to inform responses in a local government area in Victoria, Australia: a mixed methods photovoice study. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1996. [PMID: 37833654 PMCID: PMC10571378 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16796-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Local food systems which support affordable, equitable, accessible, and sustainable food are important to enhance food access and reduce food insecurity. Cardinia Shire Council, a local government in Victoria, Australia has developed and endorsed a 'Community Food Strategy' to support their local food system and food security. This study aimed to explore local government community member perspectives regarding food access within their local food environment, and suggested areas to be addressed to better support access. METHODS A sequential mixed methods photovoice methodology was implemented. Participants aged over 18 years, who resided in Cardinia Shire, completed an online quantitative survey to explore demographics, food access and food security status and severity (18-item USDA Household Food Security Survey Module). The qualitative photovoice method was used, whereby participants were asked to take photographs that represent their experiences of food access. These photographs were used as prompts in a semi-structured interview Interview data were thematically analysed. RESULTS Seventeen participants completed the study, of which five participants experienced varied severity levels of food insecurity. From the photovoice interviews four themes were developed: 1) Food: a connector to self, people and place, 2) Influencers of food access and triggers for food insecurity, 3) Savvy food literacy skills to support access to food, 4) Consequences of and struggles with food insecurity. Participants suggested recommendations for action to support future food access in their community. CONCLUSIONS While food choice is influenced by a range of determinants, the local food environment greatly impacts both food access and food choice. A supportive local food system which promotes inclusion of a community voice, community connectedness, food literacy and physical and economic access to local produce is crucial to support food security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Molenaar
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Sue Kleve
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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Herath MP, Murray S, Lewis M, Holloway TP, Hughes R, Jayasinghe S, Soward R, Patterson KAE, Byrne NM, Lee AJ, Hills AP, Ahuja KDK. Habitual Diets Are More Expensive than Recommended Healthy Diets. Nutrients 2023; 15:3908. [PMID: 37764692 PMCID: PMC10538131 DOI: 10.3390/nu15183908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding food prices and affordability is crucial for promoting healthy dietary habits and informing policy actions. We assessed changes in the cost and affordability of habitual and recommended healthy diets in Northwest Tasmania from 2021 to 2023. The recommended diet was 16-22% less expensive than the habitual diet during the period. Notably, 60% of the total cost of the habitual diet was spent on discretionary items. The cost of the habitual diet increased by 9% in this period, whereas the cost of the recommended diet increased by only 2%. The habitual diet was unaffordable for households with median gross, minimum wage disposable or welfare-dependent incomes. The recommended diet, however, was affordable for some groups but posed a risk of food stress for those with median gross and minimum wage disposable income and remained unaffordable for those who were welfare dependent. Our findings reveal that adhering to a healthy Australian Dietary Guidelines-recommended diet can be more cost-effective than following a habitual unhealthy diet. However, adopting a healthy diet can be challenging for low-income families. Interventions such as financial support, nutrition education, community gardens and food hubs, as well as price regulation and subsidies for farmers, can help address food insecurity in Northwest Tasmania.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoja P. Herath
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7248, Australia; (M.P.H.); (S.M.); (T.P.H.); (S.J.); (R.S.); (N.M.B.); (A.P.H.)
| | - Sandra Murray
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7248, Australia; (M.P.H.); (S.M.); (T.P.H.); (S.J.); (R.S.); (N.M.B.); (A.P.H.)
| | - Meron Lewis
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia; (M.L.); (A.J.L.)
| | - Timothy P. Holloway
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7248, Australia; (M.P.H.); (S.M.); (T.P.H.); (S.J.); (R.S.); (N.M.B.); (A.P.H.)
| | - Roger Hughes
- School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC 3122, Australia;
| | - Sisitha Jayasinghe
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7248, Australia; (M.P.H.); (S.M.); (T.P.H.); (S.J.); (R.S.); (N.M.B.); (A.P.H.)
| | - Robert Soward
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7248, Australia; (M.P.H.); (S.M.); (T.P.H.); (S.J.); (R.S.); (N.M.B.); (A.P.H.)
| | - Kira A. E. Patterson
- School of Education, College of Arts, Law and Education, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7250, Australia;
| | - Nuala M. Byrne
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7248, Australia; (M.P.H.); (S.M.); (T.P.H.); (S.J.); (R.S.); (N.M.B.); (A.P.H.)
| | - Amanda J. Lee
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia; (M.L.); (A.J.L.)
| | - Andrew P. Hills
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7248, Australia; (M.P.H.); (S.M.); (T.P.H.); (S.J.); (R.S.); (N.M.B.); (A.P.H.)
| | - Kiran D. K. Ahuja
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS 7248, Australia; (M.P.H.); (S.M.); (T.P.H.); (S.J.); (R.S.); (N.M.B.); (A.P.H.)
- Nutrition Society of Australia, Crows Nest, NSW 1585, Australia
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Lewis M, Herron LM, Chatfield MD, Tan RC, Dale A, Nash S, Lee AJ. Healthy Food Prices Increased More Than the Prices of Unhealthy Options during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Concurrent Challenges to the Food System. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3146. [PMID: 36833837 PMCID: PMC9967271 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Food prices have escalated due to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on global food systems, and other regional shocks and stressors including climate change and war. Few studies have applied a health lens to identify the most affected foods. This study aimed to assess costs and affordability of habitual (unhealthy) diets and recommended (healthy, equitable and more sustainable) diets and their components in Greater Brisbane, Queensland, Australia from 2019 to 2022 using the Healthy Diets Australian Standardised Affordability and Pricing protocol. Affordability was determined for reference households at three levels of income: median, minimum wage, and welfare-dependent. The recommended diet cost increased 17.9%; mostly in the last year when the prices of healthy foods, such as fruit, vegetables and legumes, healthy fats/oils, grains, and meats/alternatives, increased by 12.8%. In contrast, the cost of the unhealthy foods and drinks in the habitual diet 'only' increased 9.0% from 2019 to 2022, and 7.0% from 2021 to 2022. An exception was the cost of unhealthy take-away foods which increased by 14.7% over 2019-2022. With government COVID-19-related payments, for the first time recommended diets were affordable for all and food security and diets improved in 2020. However, the special payments were withdrawn in 2021, and recommended diets became 11.5% less affordable. Permanently increasing welfare support and providing an adequate minimum wage, while keeping basic, healthy foods GST-free and increasing GST to 20% on unhealthy foods, would improve food security and diet-related health inequities. Development of a Consumer Price Index specifically for healthy food would help highlight health risks during economic downturns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meron Lewis
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Australia
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Zorbas C, Browne J, Chung A, Peeters A, Booth S, Pollard C, Allender S, Isaacs A, Hawkes C, Backholer K. Shifting the social determinants of food insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic: the Australian experience. Food Secur 2023; 15:151-170. [PMID: 36160693 PMCID: PMC9483265 DOI: 10.1007/s12571-022-01318-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
We aimed to explore experiences of government-led actions on the social determinants of food insecurity during Australia's COVID-19 pandemic response (which included novel, yet temporary, social protection measures to support Australians facing hardship during state-wide lockdowns). During November-December 2020, we conducted in-depth interviews with 24 Victorians who received government income support (prior to COVID-19) and the temporary COVID-19 specific payments. Interviews were guided by a theoretical understanding of the social determinants of health and health inequities, which we aligned to the social policy context. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed, inductively coded, categorised and thematically analysed. Our sample included mostly women (n = 19) and single parents (n = 13). Interviews reflected four key themes. Firstly, participants described 'battles all around them' (i.e., competing financial, health and social stressors) that were not alleviated by temporary social policy changes and made healthy eating difficult to prioritise during the pandemic. Secondly, housing, income, job, and education priorities rendered food a lower and more flexible financial priority - even with 18 participants receiving temporary income increases from COVID-19 Supplements. Thirdly, given that food remained a lower and more flexible financial priority, families continued to purchase the cheapest and most affordable options (typically less healthful, more markedly price discounted). Finally, participants perceived the dominant public and policy rhetoric around income support policies and healthy eating to be inaccurate and shaming - often misrepresenting their lived experiences, both prior to and during COVID-19. Participants reported entrenched struggles with being able to afford basic living costs in a dignified manner during COVID-19, despite temporary social protection policy changes. To reduce inequities in population diets, a pre-requisite to health, all stakeholders must recognise an ongoing responsibility for adopting long-term food and social policies that genuinely improve lived experiences of food insecurity and poverty. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12571-022-01318-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Zorbas
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Jennifer Browne
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Alexandra Chung
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Anna Peeters
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Sue Booth
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Christina Pollard
- School of Population Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Steven Allender
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Anna Isaacs
- Centre for Food Policy, School of Health Sciences, Division of Health Services Research and Management, City, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Corinna Hawkes
- Centre for Food Policy, School of Health Sciences, Division of Health Services Research and Management, City, University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kathryn Backholer
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
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Miguel-Berges ML, Jimeno-Martínez A, Larruy-García A, Moreno LA, Rodríguez G, Iguacel I. The Effect of Food Vouchers and an Educational Intervention on Promoting Healthy Eating in Vulnerable Families: A Pilot Study. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14234980. [PMID: 36501009 PMCID: PMC9739317 DOI: 10.3390/nu14234980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cost has been reported as the main barrier to healthy eating in vulnerable groups. We aimed to evaluate the effect of a nutrition education intervention on adherence to Mediterranean Diet and health when providing food vouchers. This pilot study has a randomized control trial design. We included 66 vulnerable users from the Red Cross of Zaragoza (Spain). Intervention and control group individuals received 120 euros/month of food vouchers over 3 months to be spent in supermarkets (60 euros/month if under 12 y) plus a 10-week nutrition education program for the intervention group. Family food purchases were assessed using electronically recorded supermarket-obtained transactions. During and at the end of the intervention the percentage of healthy food was higher in the intervention than in the control group. Once the nutrition education was over, differences between groups dissipated. In the intervention group, health parameters improved, particularly weight-status, lipids, and liver enzymes. Control participants gained weight, although lipid and liver enzymes improved. Blood pressure and HbA1c did not improve in either the intervention or the control group. In conclusion, providing unrestricted food vouchers to vulnerable groups to increase healthy food consumption appears to be insufficient and should be accompanied by medium-long term nutrition education.
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Affiliation(s)
- María L. Miguel-Berges
- Growth, Exercise, Nutrition and Development (GENUD) Research Group, University of Zaragoza, C/Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Andrea Jimeno-Martínez
- Growth, Exercise, Nutrition and Development (GENUD) Research Group, University of Zaragoza, C/Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Alicia Larruy-García
- Growth, Exercise, Nutrition and Development (GENUD) Research Group, University of Zaragoza, C/Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Luis A. Moreno
- Growth, Exercise, Nutrition and Development (GENUD) Research Group, University of Zaragoza, C/Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Gerardo Rodríguez
- Growth, Exercise, Nutrition and Development (GENUD) Research Group, University of Zaragoza, C/Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Isabel Iguacel
- Growth, Exercise, Nutrition and Development (GENUD) Research Group, University of Zaragoza, C/Pedro Cerbuna 12, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Aragón (IIS Aragón), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBEROBN), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.:+34-(97)-6761749
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Lee AJ, Patay D, Herron LM, Tan RC, Nicoll E, Fredericks B, Lewis M. Affordability of Heathy, Equitable and More Sustainable Diets in Low-Income Households in Brisbane before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Nutrients 2021; 13:4386. [PMID: 34959938 PMCID: PMC8705813 DOI: 10.3390/nu13124386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased food insecurity worldwide, yet there has been limited assessment of shifts in the cost and affordability of healthy, equitable and sustainable diets. This study explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and income supplements provided by the Australian government on diet cost and affordability for low-income households in an Australian urban area. The Healthy Diets ASAP method protocol was applied to assess the cost and cost differential of current and recommended diets before (in 2019) and during the COVID-19 pandemic (late 2020) for households with a minimum-wage and welfare-only disposable household income, by area of socioeconomic disadvantage, in Greater Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Data were collected between August and October, 2020, from 78 food outlets and compared with data collected in the same locations between May and October, 2019, in an earlier study. The price of most healthy food groups increased significantly during the pandemic-with the exception of vegetables and legumes, which decreased. Conversely, the price of discretionary foods and drinks did not increase during the pandemic. The cost of the current and recommended diets significantly increased throughout this period, but the latter continued to be less expensive than the former. Due to income supplements provided between May and September 2020, the affordability of the recommended diet improved greatly, by 27% and 42%, for households with minimum-wage and welfare-only disposable household income, respectively. This improvement in the affordability of the recommended diet highlights the need to permanently increase welfare support for low-income families to ensure food security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda J. Lee
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, 266 Herston Rd, St Lucia, QLD 4006, Australia; (D.P.); (L.-M.H.); (R.C.T.); (E.N.); (B.F.); (M.L.)
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