Home-prepared food, dietary quality and socio-demographic factors: a cross-sectional analysis of the UK National Diet and nutrition survey 2008-16

Relationship between Household Shared Meal Frequency and Dietary Intake among Men and Women Aged ≥20 Years: Cross-Sectional Analyses Based on 2018 and 2019 National Health and Nutrition Surveys in Japan

This study aimed to examine the relationship between the frequency of household shared meals and the intake of 17 food groups and 21 nutrients. Participants were 3310 men and 3386 women ≥20 years old living in a household of ≥2 members from 2018 and 2019 National Health and Nutrition Surveys in Japan. A one-day household dietary record was used to classify an individual's shared meal frequency and dietary intake. A shared meal is defined as an eating occasion (i.e., breakfast, lunch, and dinner) where ≥1 food item-other than sugars, fats and oils, beverages, and condiments-was recorded with an assigned approximated shared proportion. The shared meal frequency for each individual was classified into one of four categories: 0, 1, 2, and 3 times/day. Dietary intake was compared across the shared meal categories adjusted for age, occupation, household size, meal skipping, snacking, residential areas, and within-household correlations. Both men and women who had more frequent shared meals showed higher intakes of potatoes, vegetables, mushrooms, and condiments but less confectioneries and beverages. A higher shared meal frequency was also related to a higher intake of many (12/21) nutrients (e.g., protein, dietary fiber, and potassium). However, in women, there was a positive association between shared meal frequency and sodium intake. A higher frequency of household shared meals may be related to a more favorable dietary intake; except for concerns about sodium intake in women.

Social inequalities in pregnancy metabolic profile: findings from the multi-ethnic Born in Bradford cohort study

BACKGROUND

Lower socioeconomic position (SEP) associates with adverse pregnancy and perinatal outcomes and with less favourable metabolic profile in nonpregnant adults. Socioeconomic differences in pregnancy metabolic profile are unknown. We investigated association between a composite measure of SEP and pregnancy metabolic profile in White European (WE) and South Asian (SA) women.

METHODS

We included 3,905 WE and 4,404 SA pregnant women from a population-based UK cohort. Latent class analysis was applied to nineteen individual, household, and area-based SEP indicators (collected by questionnaires or linkage to residential address) to derive a composite SEP latent variable. Targeted nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to determine 148 metabolic traits from mid-pregnancy serum samples. Associations between SEP and metabolic traits were examined using linear regressions adjusted for gestational age and weighted by latent class probabilities.

RESULTS

Five SEP sub-groups were identified and labelled 'Highest SEP' (48% WE and 52% SA), 'High-Medium SEP' (77% and 23%), 'Medium SEP' (56% and 44%) 'Low-Medium SEP' (21% and 79%), and 'Lowest SEP' (52% and 48%). Lower SEP was associated with more adverse levels of 113 metabolic traits, including lower high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and higher triglycerides and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) traits. For example, mean standardized difference (95%CI) in concentration of small VLDL particles (vs. Highest SEP) was 0.12 standard deviation (SD) units (0.05 to 0.20) for 'Medium SEP' and 0.25SD (0.18 to 0.32) for 'Lowest SEP'. There was statistical evidence of ethnic differences in associations of SEP with 31 traits, primarily characterised by stronger associations in WE women e.g., mean difference in HDL cholesterol in WE and SA women respectively (vs. Highest-SEP) was -0.30SD (-0.41 to -0.20) and -0.16SD (-0.27 to -0.05) for 'Medium SEP', and -0.62SD (-0.72 to -0.52) and -0.29SD (-0.40 to -0.20) for 'Lowest SEP'.

CONCLUSIONS

We found widespread socioeconomic differences in metabolic traits in pregnant WE and SA women residing in the UK. Further research is needed to understand whether the socioeconomic differences we observe here reflect pre-conception differences or differences in the metabolic pregnancy response. If replicated, it would be important to explore if these differences contribute to socioeconomic differences in pregnancy outcomes.

Do cooking and food preparation skills affect healthy eating in college students?

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between food and cooking skills and healthy eating attitudes in college students. The demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, nutritional habits, attitudes toward healthy eating, and cooking and food preparation skills were questioned. 16.2% of the students have moderate, 63.5% high, and 20.3% ideally high attitudes toward healthy eating. While a positive and significant correlation was found between the total score and sub-factor scores of the "Cooking Skills and Food Skills" scale and the total score of the "Attitude Scale for Healthy Nutrition"; a negative statistically significant correlation was found between the total score and sub-factor scores of the "Cooking Skills and Food Skills" scale and the frequency of consumption of fast-food, processed meat products, packaged foods, and bread types (p < .05). Cooking and food preparation skills seem to be positively associated with healthy attitudes and habits. Considering this positive association, interventions to improve food and cooking skills may help promote healthy eating attitudes in college students. Developing these skills can shed light on increasing the frequency of cooking at home, consuming healthier foods, and as a result, providing a healthy eating attitude. Therefore, more comprehensive intervention studies are needed in this area.

Who uses what food retailers? A cluster analysis of food retail usage in the Netherlands

The aim of this study is to describe how individuals use different food retailers and how food retail usage varies according to socio-demographic and diet-related characteristics. A cross-sectional survey among Dutch adults (N = 1784) was used. Results from the Two-step cluster analysis indicated that there were five clusters of food retail users. Use of discount supermarkets, organic supermarkets, fast-food outlets, and restaurants contributed to clustering, but use of regular supermarkets, local food shops and whether food retailers were close to home or further from home did not. The clusters included mixed food outlet users, discount supermarket and restaurant users, fast-food and restaurant users, predominant discount supermarket users and supermarkets, fast-food and restaurant users. Participants in each cluster had their own characteristics especially in terms of socio-economic position and diet quality. Future studies need to consider further how food retail selection links physical exposure to the food environment and diet.

Understanding school food systems to support the development and implementation of food based policies and interventions

BACKGROUND

Schools provide opportunities to improve the quality of children's diet, whilst reducing inequalities in childhood diet and health. Evidence supports whole school approaches, including consistency in food quality, eating culture and food education. However, such approaches are often poorly implemented due to the highly complex environments in which schools operate. We aimed to develop a school food systems map using a systems thinking approach to help identify the key factors influencing primary school children's dietary choice.

METHODS

Eight workshops were conducted with 80 children (from schools from varying locations (region of England/UK; urban/rural), deprivation levels and prioritisation of school food policies)) and 11 workshops were held with 82 adult stakeholders across the UK (principals, teachers, caterers, school governors, parents, and local and voluntary sector organisations) to identify factors that influence food choice in children across a school day and their inter-relationships. Initial exploratory workshops started with a 'blank canvas' using a group model building approach. Later workshops consolidated findings and supported a wider discussion of factors, relationships and influences within the systems map. Strengths of the relationship between factors/nodes were agreed by stakeholders and individually depicted on the map. We facilitated an additional eight interactive, in-person workshops with children to map their activities across a whole school day to enable the production of a journey map which was shared with stakeholders in workshops to facilitate discussion.

RESULTS

The final 'CONNECTS-Food' systems map included 202 factors that were grouped into 27 nodes. Thematic analysis identified four key themes: leadership and curriculum; child food preference; home environment; and school food environment. Network analysis highlighted key factors that influence child diet across a school day, which were largely in keeping with the thematic analysis; including: 'available funds/resources', 'awareness of initiatives and resources', 'child food preference and intake', 'eligibility of free school meals', 'family circumstances and eating behaviours', 'peer/social norms', 'priorities of head teachers and senior leaders'.

CONCLUSIONS

Our systems map demonstrates the need to consider factors external to schools and their food environments. The map supports the identification of potential actions, interventions and policies to facilitate a systems-wide positive impact on children's diets.

Cooking at home to retain nutritional quality and minimise nutrient losses: A focus on vegetables, potatoes and pulses

Cooking at home has experienced a decline in many countries since the mid-20th century. As rates of obesity have increased, there has been an emphasis on more frequent home cooking, including its incorporation into several food-based dietary guidelines around the world as a strategy to improve dietary quality. With the recent trend towards the adoption of diets richer in plant-based foods, many consumers cooking at home may now be cooking plant foods such as vegetables, potatoes and pulses more often. It is, therefore, timely to explore the impact that different home cooking methods have on the range of nutrients (e.g. vitamin C and folate) and bioactive phytochemicals (e.g. carotenoids and polyphenols) that such plant foods provide, and this paper will explore this and whether advice can be tailored to minimise such losses. The impact of cooking on nutritional quality can be both desirable and/or undesirable and can vary according to the cooking method and the nutrient or phytochemical of interest. Cooking methods that expose plant foods to high temperatures and/or water for long periods of time (e.g. boiling) may be the most detrimental to nutrient content, whereas other cooking methods such as steaming or microwaving may help to retain nutrients, particularly those that are water-soluble. Dishes that use cooking liquids may retain nutrients that would have been lost through leaching. It may be helpful to provide the public with more information about better methods to prepare and cook plant foods to minimise any nutrient losses. However, for some nutrients/phytochemicals the insufficient and inconsistent research findings make clear messages around the optimal cooking method difficult, and factors such as bioaccessibility rather than just quantity may also be important to consider.

Exploring the environment-nutrition-obesity effects associated with food consumption in different groups in China

Unsustainable diet is one of the main reasons for the nutrition-health-environment trilemma. However, information on environment-nutrition-obesity effects associated with food consumption is still limited. This study analyzes these diet-related impacts of different groups classified by various socio-economic attributes: location, gender, age, income, education, and occupation. We applied the samples in China Health and Nutrition Survey and divided them into advantaged group and dis-advantaged group according to the probability of access to more nutritious food. Results show that the advantaged groups had higher and more rapidly increasing dietary and nutrition quality than their counterpart during 1997-2011. On the contrary, the non-advantaged group' body mass index increased faster. Meanwhile, the high-income group as well as government and professional & technological workers have passed the criterion for overweight. The environmental footprints, i.e., nitrogen, phosphorus, carbon, and water footprints, of high-income group were higher 89%, 70%, 98%, and 41% than low-income group, respectively. Notably, food consumption sustainability of each group has declined, and the non-advantaged groups' is much more sustainable. We concluded that inequality existed and tends to expand in food consumption and its related impacts of different socio-economic groups. A reformed responsibility allocation system is needed during dietary transition for better environmental management. Strategies to improve dietary quality for advantaged group focus on improving the types of high-quality protein foods, such as milk and seafood, while the non-advantaged group can choose to increase the types of high-quality but relatively cheap foods like vegetables and fruits considering the availability and living cost.

How and Why Diets Change Post-Migration: A Qualitative Exploration of Dietary Acculturation among Recent Chinese Immigrants in Australia

Chinese immigrants living in Western countries are at increased risk for cardiometabolic diseases. Dietary acculturation has been implicated as a potential contributor, but little is known about why diets change post-migration. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to explore how and why diets change post-migration for Chinese immigrants living in Australia. Eleven participants undertook semi-structured interviews exploring and comparing their diets when they lived in China to their post-migration diets. Thematic analysis revealed that participants exhibited changed social structures of meal preparation, and made unacknowledged dietary changes, such as recipe modification, to maintain their traditional Chinese diet post-migration. Implications of both deliberate and unrecognized dietary changes post-migration include connections to increased risk for metabolic disease post-migration.

Definitions and Assessment Methods of ‘Home Cooking’ in Studies with Dietary Variables: A Scoping Review

Home cooking is a complex idea that involves multiple skills and behaviors and can be interpreted differently. Using six databases (two of which were Japanese), this scoping review examined the definitions and methods used in studies investigating the relationship between home cooking and dietary variables. Of the 40 studies (2 in Japanese) included in this review, 8 provided definitions but did not specify the extent or level that convenience foods can be allowed in food preparation. The methods were classified into two categories, namely, perception-dependent (n = 29) if using a self-reported instrument, or perception-independent (n = 11) if based on investigators’ classification. Subsequently, indicators of home cooking were classified based on survey attributes (e.g., frequency, location). All but five studies used single indicators, primarily the preparation frequency (n = 18). Quality of analysis was also evaluated. Studies that used multiple indicators or perception-independent methods showed high or moderate overall quality. In contrast, studies that used single indicators based on perception-dependent methods tended to have a low overall quality. The consistency of the relationship between home cooking and dietary variables depended on study quality. In conclusion, the definitions of home cooking were inconsistent across studies, and lacked consensus for examining the association between dietary outcomes.

The Assessment of Cooking Skills and Food Skills and Their Relationship with Nutrition Knowledge, Attitude toward a Healthy Diet and Food Intake: Results of a German Validation Study

There is a lack of validated assessment instruments that capture all facets of cooking skills (CS) and food skills (FS). The goal of this study was to validate the German version of a questionnaire to assess a broad range of CS and FS and to examine its relationship with nutrition knowledge, attitude toward a healthy diet, and food intake. The German version was developed using forward−backward translation. An online survey was completed by students (n = 141), participants from the general Swiss population (n = 50), and nutrition experts (n = 18), including the CS and FS items along with nutrition knowledge, food frequency items, attitude toward a healthy diet and sociodemographic variables. The reliability and construct validity were examined. Results: For all of the samples, Cronbach’s alpha was between 0.85 and 0.88 for CS items and between 0.84 and 0.86 for FS items. The scales were strongly correlated (r = 0.60−0.77, p < 0.01). Nutrition experts showed higher confidence in their CS and FS than students and the participants of the general Swiss population (p < 0.001). CS and FS correlated weakly to moderately with practical nutrition knowledge, attitude toward a healthy diet, and the diet quality index. The German version is an efficient, valid, and highly reliable instrument that seems sensitive to changes. FS, compared to CS, might be more important for a healthy diet.

Association of Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) and Depressive Disorders

A lot of evidence shows that inflammation is related to the development of depression. However, the heterogeneity of depression hinders efforts to understand, prevent and treat this disease. The purpose of this comprehensive review is to summarize the links between inflammation and the established core features of depression, which show more homogeneity than the syndrome itself: overreaction to negative information, changes in reward processing, and cognitive control decline, and somatic syndrome. For each core feature, we first briefly outline its relevance to depression and neurobiological basis, and then review the evidence to investigate the potential role of inflammation. We mainly focus on the discovery of the experimental paradigm of exogenous inflammation. We concluded that inflammation may play a role in overreaction to negative information, altered reward responses, and physical symptoms. There is less evidence to support the effect of inflammation on cognitive control by standard neuropsychological measures. Finally, we discussed the implications for future research and recommendations on how to test the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of heterogeneous mental illness.

Food Access, Diet Quality, and Nutritional Status of Older Adults During COVID-19: A Scoping Review

Background: COVID-19 has imposed challenges for older adults to access food, particularly in minority, lower income, and rural communities. However, the impact of COVID-19 on food access, diet quality, and nutrition of diverse older adult populations has not been systematically assessed. Objective: To examine changes in food access, diet quality, and nutritional status among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and the potential differential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on these nutrition-related outcomes using the framework of the socio-ecological model. Methods: An electronic search was conducted on 3 databases (PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science) on March 7, 2021. Original, peer-reviewed English-language studies published 10/1/2019-3/1/2021 were considered for which the mean age of participants was 50 years and older. In order to be considered, studies must have examined food access, food security, or nutrition constructs as an outcome. Results: The initial search yielded 13,628 results, of which 9,145 were duplicates. Of the remaining 4,483 articles, 13 articles were in scope and therefore selected in the final analysis, which can be characterized as descriptive (n = 5), analytical (n = 6), and correlational (n = 2). Studies were conducted among community-dwelling older adult populations (n = 7) as well as those temporarily residing in hospital settings (n = 6) in 10 countries. None of the in-scope studies examined the impact of food programs or specific public policies or disaggregated data by race/ethnicity. Conclusions: More research is needed to examine the impact of COVID-19 on food access/security and the differential barriers experienced by older adult populations.

Resources in women's social networks for food shopping are more strongly associated with better dietary quality than people: A cross-sectional study

When healthy people are part of an individual's social network, those individuals will have better dietary quality. Little, however, is known about whether social networks for food shopping, including both people and resources (e.g. recipes, weight loss programmes and food advertisements) are associated with dietary quality. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between social networks for food shopping and dietary quality, and whether this differs for people and resources, among women aged 18-45 years. A total of 129 participants completed a cross-sectional questionnaire including an ego-centric Social Network Exposure tool and short Food Frequency Questionnaire. Associations between dietary quality and type of network member, perceived healthiness and support for healthy shopping choices were explored using linear regression models. Analyses revealed that participants who nominated people in their food shopping social network that eat healthily or support healthy food shopping had better dietary quality (β = 0.16 SD per 1-point change on a 4-point scale, 95%CI -0.06, 0.39; β = 0.20, 95%CI -0.07, 0.46, respectively). Resources in participants' food shopping social networks which promote healthy eating or support healthy shopping were associated with better dietary quality. These associations remained robust after adjustment for confounding variables identified using a directed acyclic graph (β = 0.31 SD per 1-point change on a 4-point scale, 95%CI 0.03, 0.58; β = 0.44, 95%CI 0.09, 0.79 respectively). The results were strengthened when the outcome was multiplied by frequency of contact (β = 0.33, 95%CI 0.05, 0.61; β = 0.47, 95%CI 0.11, 0.83 respectively). This study suggests that resources which promote healthy eating and healthy food shopping have a stronger association with dietary quality than social support from people. Further research is required in a larger sample, including multiple time-points, to confirm these findings.

Breakfast Location Effect on Breakfast Quality and Obesity Risk in Saudi Female College Students

Background:

There is a lack of data regarding breakfast consumption and quality among college students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of breakfast consumption and examine the effect of breakfast location on breakfast nutritional quality and obesity risk among female college students at Taibah University.

Methods:

A total of 658 students participated in this cross-sectional study. Based on the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) recommendations, breakfast quality scores were computed by summing the individual food components and categorizing participants according to tertiles of the breakfast score distribution. Mixed-effects repeatedmeasures models were used to examine BMI categories with increasing tertiles of breakfast quality scores, stratified by breakfast location.

Results and Discussion:

Approximately 68% of the participants reported having breakfast regularly. The mean breakfast quality score was determined for students who had breakfast at home (12.5 ± 0.11), at college (10.41± 0.06), and in other places (8.19± 0.48). Obesity was associated with lower average breakfast quality scores based on breakfast location [mean quintile 3 compared with 1 difference: home 13.6 (P < 0.001), college 9.1 (P < 0.001), other 8.6 (P < 0.001)].

Conclusion:

The findings presented here indicated that a high percentage of students consume breakfast regularly. Students who had breakfast at home had high scores, which indicated good breakfast quality and a decreased risk of obesity. Further research on breakfast quality is needed in this area, as it affects the nutritional status and quality of life of the younger population.

Diet Quality of Canadian Preschool Children: Associations with Socio-demographic Characteristics

Purpose: To examine associations between preschoolers' diet quality and parent and child socio-demographic variables.Methods: Cross-sectional analysis with 117 preschoolers. Parents reported socio-demographics and their children's diet using 3-day food records. Diet quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) 2015. Linear regression models were used to analyze associations between socio-demographics and HEI scores.Results: A total of 86% of children had an HEI-2015 score in the "needs improvement" category (51-80 out of a maximum of 100). Children's overall HEI-2015 score was inversely associated with children's age (β = -0.19, 95% CI -0.37, -0.02). Parental education was positively associated with children's overall HEI score (β = 9.58, 95% CI 3.81, 15.35) and with scores for total fruit (β = 1.00, 95% CI 0.39, 1.76), vegetables (β = 1.11, 95% CI 0.03, 2.18), total protein (β = 1.06, 95% CI 0.28, 1.84), and seafood/plant protein (β = 1.67, 95% CI 0.43, 2.89) components. Children who identified as Caucasian (β = 4.29, 95% CI 2.46, 6.14), had a Caucasian parent (β = 3.01, 95% CI 0.78, 5.25), or parents who were born in Canada (β = 2.32, 95% CI 0.53, 4.11) had higher scores for dairy.Conclusion: Our results suggest that preschoolers' diet quality needs improvement and that children's diet quality varies by children's age and parental education level.

Food Neophobia and Consumer Choices within Vietnamese Menu in a Polish Cohort Study

One of the factors influencing consumer food choices is food neophobia (FN), described as a reluctance to try novel or unknown food products. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of FN on food choices in young Polish respondents through a web-based choice experiment with Vietnamese restaurant menu. The choice experiment was conducted using a Computer-Assisted Web Interview (CAWI) method in a sample of 601 young adults, while using a developed Vietnamese restaurant menu. For the dishes, neophobic potential for a Polish population was defined, based on content of ingredients not typical for Polish diet. The FN was assessed using the Food Neophobia Scale (FNS) by Pliner and Hobden. The neophobic potential was the determinant of choice of dishes (p < 0.05). The participants characterized by a high FN level less commonly than others chosen dishes characterized by neophobic potential as: starter (Nem quõn—non-fried spring rolls with shrimps) (p = 0.0003), soup (Mién gà—soup with cellophane noodles and nam huong mushrooms) (p < 0.0001), main course (Phở xào bò—rice noodles with soy sauce and fish sauce) (p < 0.0001) and dessert (Chè thập cãm—dessert of golden gram, black eye beans, Azuki beans and tapioca) than other options (p = 0.0007). It was stated that FN in young respondents may reduce the frequency of choosing dishes containing unfamiliar ingredients and, as a result, it may cause lower diversity of consumed dishes. Taking into account that not properly balanced diets resulting from rejecting some types of products are becoming a growing problem, the FN should be taken into account in the general public health policy.

Food Outlets Dietary Risk (FODR) assessment tool: study protocol for assessing the public health nutrition risks of community food environments

BACKGROUND

Availability and accessibility of nutritious foods can vary according to the food outlets present within a neighbourhood or community. There is increasing evidence that community food environments influence food choice, diet and the risk of diet-related chronic disease, however contemporary community food environments assessments (e.g. unhealthy fast food outlets versus healthy supermarkets or fruit and vegetable shops) may be too simplistic to accurately summarise the complexities of their impacts on food choice. This study protocol describes the development of the Food Outlets Dietary Risk (FODR) assessment tool for use by local government in Perth, Western Australia.

METHODS

Similar to food safety risk assessment, the FODR assessment tool rates the potential harmful public health nutrition impact of food outlets by identifying and characterising the issues, and assessing the risk of exposure. Scores are attributed to six public health nutrition attributes: 1) availability of nutrient-poor foods; 2) availability of nutritious foods; 3) acceptability and appeal; 4) accessibility; 5) type of business operation; and 6) complex food outlet considerations. Food retail outlets are then classified as having a low, medium, high or very high dietary risk based on their total score.

DISCUSSION

A local government administered tool to rate the public health nutrition risk of food outlets requires data which can be collected during routine assessments or sourced from the internet. The ongoing categorical classification of foods available within food outlets as either unhealthy or nutritious will require nutrition scientists' input. An objective risk assessment of the dietary impact of food retail outlets can guide local government planning, policies and interventions to create supportive community food environments. It is intended that locally relevant data can be sourced throughout Australia and in other countries to apply the local context to the FODR assessment tool. Utility and acceptability of the tool will be tested, and consultation with environmental health officers and public health practitioners will inform future iterations.

How Does Time Use Differ between Individuals Who Do More versus Less Foodwork? A Compositional Data Analysis of Time Use in the United Kingdom Time Use Survey 2014-2015

BACKGROUND

Increased time spent on home food preparation is associated with higher diet quality, but a lack of time is often reported as a barrier to this practice. We compared time use in individuals who do more versus less foodwork (tasks required to feed ourselves and our households, including home food preparation).

METHODS

Cross-sectional analysis of the UK Time Use Survey 2014-15, participants aged 16+ (N = 6143). Time use over 24 h was attributed to seven compositional parts: personal care; sleep; eating; physical activity; leisure screen time; work (paid and unpaid); and socialising and hobbies. Participants were categorised as doing no, 'some' (<70 min), or 'more' foodwork (≥70 min). We used compositional data analysis to test whether time-use composition varied between these participant groups, determine which of the parts varied between groups, and test for differences across population subgroups.

RESULTS

Participants who spent more time on foodwork spent less time on sleep, eating, and personal care and more time on work. Women who did more foodwork spent less time on personal care, socialising, and hobbies, which was not the case for men.

CONCLUSION

Those who seek to encourage home food preparation should be aware of the associations between foodwork and other activities and design their interventions to guard against unintended consequences.

Industrially processed v. home-prepared dishes: what economic benefit for the consumer?

OBJECTIVE

To cope with the pressure of modern life, consumer demand for convenience foods has increased in the last decades. The current study set out to compare the costs of buying industrially processed dishes and of preparing them at home.

DESIGN

Direct purchase costs of industrially processed dishes frequently consumed in France (n 19) and of the ingredients needed for their home-prepared counterparts (n 86) were collected from four major food retailers' websites in Montpellier, France. Mean prices and energy density were calculated for four portions. Costs related to energy used by cooking appliances and time spent preparing dishes were further estimated.

SETTING

Montpellier, France.

PARTICIPANTS

Not applicable.

RESULTS

Based on the costs of ingredients and energy used for cooking, dishes prepared at home cost less (-0·60 € per four portions, P < 0.001) than industrially processed dishes, but when the cost of time was taken into account, the industrially processed dishes were much cheaper (-5·34 € per four portions, P < 0.001) than their home-prepared counterparts. There was no difference in energy density between industrially processed and home-prepared dishes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that industrially processed dishes are more profitable to consumers when the cost of time for preparing dishes at home is valued. Given the ever greater demands of everyday life, more account should be taken of the additional cost to consumers of the time they spend preparing meals at home.