1
|
Freizinger M, Jhe GB, Dahlberg SE, Pluhar E, Raffoul A, Slater W, Shrier LA. Binge-eating behaviors in adolescents and young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Eat Disord 2022; 10:125. [PMID: 36002838 PMCID: PMC9399990 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-022-00650-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent public health measures have resulted in a worsening of eating disorder symptoms and an increase in psychological distress. The present study examined symptoms and behaviors in adolescents and young adults with emotional eating, bingeing behaviors and binge eating disorder during the pandemic. Additionally, the study explored if individuals who experienced pandemic-related food availability and food affordability issues experienced increased binge-eating symptoms and negative feelings. METHOD Participants (n = 39) were a convenience sample who participated between November 2020 and January 2021 in a weight and lifestyle management program at an urban New England pediatric hospital. Participants completed online surveys that assessed (1) participant's exposure to COVID-19 related stress and binge-eating behaviors using the COVID-19 Exposure and Family Impact Survey-Adolescent and Young Adult Version (CEFIS-AYA) and the Binge Eating Scale (BES) respectively, (2) participants' and their families' ability to attain and afford food and its association with bingeing behaviors, and (3) the relationship between food availability and affordability and negative emotions. RESULTS Nearly half of all participants (48.7%) reported moderate to severe bingeing during the COVID-19 pandemic; those who experienced greater COVID-related stress reported more binge-eating behaviors (p = 0.03). There were no associations between indicators of food availability and affordability and binge eating or between food availability and affordability and negative feelings. CONCLUSIONS Higher pandemic-related stress was associated with more binge-eating behaviors among adolescents and young adults. These results underscore the need to monitor symptoms and provide treatment for these patients despite barriers to care imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Research and clinical care for adolescents and young adults with EDs must recognize and respond to pandemic effects across the weight and disordered eating spectrum.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Freizinger
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. .,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. .,Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, 333 Longwood Avenue, 5th Floor, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Grace B Jhe
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Suzanne E Dahlberg
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Institutional Centers for Clinical and Translational Research, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Emily Pluhar
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Amanda Raffoul
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Wallis Slater
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Lydia A Shrier
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Arrieta EM, Fischer CG, Aguiar S, Geri M, Fernández RJ, Coquet JB, Scavuzzo CM, Rieznik A, León A, González AD, Jobbágy EG. The health, environmental, and economic dimensions of future dietary transitions in Argentina. Sustain Sci 2022:1-17. [PMID: 35069916 PMCID: PMC8760564 DOI: 10.1007/s11625-021-01087-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Diets link human health with environmental sustainability, offering promising pressure points to enhance the sustainability of food systems. We investigated the health, environmental, and economic dimensions of the current diet in Argentina and the possible effects of six dietary change scenarios on nutrient adequacy, dietary quality, food expenditure, and six environmental impact categories (i.e., GHG emissions, total land occupation, cropland use, fossil energy use, freshwater consumption, and the emission of eutrophying pollutants). Current dietary patterns are unhealthy, unsustainable, and relatively expensive, and all things being equal, an increase in income levels would not alter the health dimension, but increase environmental impacts by 33-38%, and costs by 38%. Compared to the prevailing diet, the six healthier diet alternatives could improve health with an expenditure between + 27% (National Dietary Guidelines) to -5% (vegan diet) of the current diet. These dietary changes could result in trade-offs between different environmental impacts. Plant-based diets showed the lowest overall environmental impact, with GHG emissions and land occupation reduced by up to 79% and 88%, respectively, without significant changes in cropland demand. However, fossil energy use and freshwater consumption could increase by up to 101% and 220%, respectively. The emission of eutrophying pollutants could increase by up to 54% for all healthy diet scenarios, except for the vegan one (18% decrease). We conclude that the health and environmental crisis that Argentina (and other developing countries) currently face could be mitigated by adopting healthy diets (particularly plant-based), bringing in the process benefits to both people and nature. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11625-021-01087-7.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ezequiel M. Arrieta
- Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (IMBIV), CONICET y Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Carlos González Fischer
- New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC), Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Sebastian Aguiar
- Laboratorio de Análisis Regional y Teledetección (LART), Facultad de Agronomía, Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura (IFEVA), Universidad de Buenos Aires–CONICET, Av. San Martín 4453, C1417DSE Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Milva Geri
- Departamento de Economía y Departamento de Matemática de la Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS), Instituto de Investigaciones Económicas y Sociales del Sur (IIESS)-CONICET, Bahía Blanca, 8000 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Roberto J. Fernández
- Facultad de Agronomía, Cátedra de Ecología e IFEVA-CONICET, Universidad de BuenosAires, 1417 Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Julia Becaria Coquet
- Escuela de Nutrición, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Carlos M. Scavuzzo
- Instituto de Altos Estudios Espaciales “Mario Gulich” CONAE, UNC, 5000 Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Andres Rieznik
- Instituto de Neurociencias Cognitivas y Traslacionales (INCYT) CONICET-Fundación INECO y Universidad Favaloro, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alberto León
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos Córdoba, CONICET-Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Av Filloy s/n, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Alejandro D. González
- Instituto Andino-Patagónico de Tecnologías Biológicas y Geoambientales (IPATEC), CONICET y Universidad Nacional del Comahue, 8400 Bariloche, Río Negro Argentina
| | - Esteban G. Jobbágy
- Grupo de Estudios Ambientales, CONICET, IMASL, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Ejército de los Andes 950, 5700 San Luis, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zorbas C, Lee A, Peeters A, Lewis M, Landrigan T, Backholer K. Streamlined data-gathering techniques to estimate the price and affordability of healthy and unhealthy diets under different pricing scenarios. Public Health Nutr 2021; 24:1-11. [PMID: 32662385 DOI: 10.1017/S1368980020001718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the reliability of streamlined data-gathering techniques for examining the price and affordability of a healthy (recommended) and unhealthy (current) diet. We additionally estimated the price and affordability of diets across socio-economic areas and quantified the influence of different pricing scenarios. DESIGN Following the Healthy Diets Australian Standardised Affordability and Pricing (ASAP) protocol, we compared a cross-sectional sample of food and beverage pricing data collected using online data and phone calls (lower-resource streamlined techniques) with data collected in-store from the same retailers. SETTING Food and beverage prices were collected from major supermarkets, fast food and alcohol retailers in eight conveniently sampled areas in Victoria, Australia (n 72 stores), stratified by area-level deprivation and remoteness. PARTICIPANTS This study did not involve human participants. RESULTS The biweekly price of a healthy diet was on average 21 % cheaper ($596) than an unhealthy diet ($721) for a four-person family using the streamlined techniques, which was comparable with estimates using in-store data (healthy: $594, unhealthy: $731). The diet price differential did not vary considerably across geographical areas (range: 18-23 %). Both diets were estimated to be unaffordable for families living on indicative low disposable household incomes and below the poverty line. The inclusion of generic brands notably reduced the prices of healthy and unhealthy diets (≥20 %), rendering both affordable against indicative low disposable household incomes. Inclusion of discounted prices marginally reduced diet prices (3 %). CONCLUSIONS Streamlined data-gathering techniques are a reliable method for regular, flexible and widespread monitoring of the price and affordability of population diets in areas where supermarkets have an online presence.
Collapse
|
4
|
Lee AJ, Kane S, Herron LM, Matsuyama M, Lewis M. A tale of two cities: the cost, price-differential and affordability of current and healthy diets in Sydney and Canberra, Australia. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2020; 17:80. [PMID: 32571334 PMCID: PMC7309977 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-020-00981-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The perception that healthy foods are more expensive than unhealthy foods has been reported widely to be a key barrier to healthy eating. However, assessment of the relative cost of healthy and unhealthy foods and diets is fraught methodologically. Standardised approaches to produce reliable data on the cost of total diets and different dietary patterns, rather than selected foods, are lacking globally to inform policy and practice. METHODS This paper reports the first application, in randomly selected statistical areas stratified by socio-economic status in two Australian cities, of the Healthy Diets Australian Standardized Affordability and Pricing (ASAP) method protocols: diet pricing tools based on national nutrition survey data and dietary guidelines; store sampling and location; determination of household incomes; food price data collection; and analysis and reporting. The methods were developed by the International Network on Food and Obesity/NCD Research, Monitoring and Action Support (INFORMAS) as a prototype of an optimum approach to assess, compare and monitor the cost and affordability of diets across different geographical and socio-economic settings and times. RESULTS Under current tax policy in Australia, healthy diets would be 15-17% less expensive than current (unhealthy) diets in all locations assessed. Nevertheless, healthy diets are likely to be unaffordable for low income households, costing more than 30% of disposable income in both cities surveyed. Households spent around 58% of their food budget on unhealthy food and drinks. Food costs were on average 4% higher in Canberra than Sydney, and tended to be higher in high socioeconomic locations. CONCLUSIONS Health and fiscal policy actions to increase affordability of healthy diets for low income households are required urgently. Also, there is a need to counter perceptions that current, unhealthy diets must be less expensive than healthy diets. The Healthy Diets ASAP methods could be adapted to assess the cost and affordability of healthy and unhealthy diets elsewhere.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda J Lee
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, 288 Herston Road, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia.
| | - Sarah Kane
- Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, QLD, 4059, Australia
| | - Lisa-Maree Herron
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, 288 Herston Road, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Misa Matsuyama
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, 288 Herston Road, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
| | - Meron Lewis
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, 288 Herston Road, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Egbe M, Grant A, Waddington M, Terashima M, MacAulay R, Johnson C, Kholina K, Williams PL. Availability and affordability of healthy and less healthy food in Nova Scotia: where you shop may affect the availability and price of healthy food. Public Health Nutr 2021; 24:2345-53. [PMID: 32524938 DOI: 10.1017/S1368980020000841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to examine the availability and price of healthier compared with less healthy foods by geography, store category and store type for convenience stores, and by store size for grocery stores in Nova Scotia. DESIGN A cross-sectional study that examined differences in the overall availability and price of healthier compared to less healthy foods in grocery and convenience stores in Nova Scotia. The Nova Scotia Consumer Food Environment project was part of a larger initiative of the Nova Scotia government (Department of Health and Wellness) to assess the food and beverage environment in Nova Scotia in 2015/16. SETTING Four geographic zones (Nova Scotia Health Authority Management Zones) in Nova Scotia, Canada. PARTICIPANTS A sample of forty-seven grocery stores and fifty-nine convenience stores were selected from a list of 210 grocery stores and 758 convenience stores in Nova Scotia to ensure geographic and store type representation in our sample. RESULTS Findings indicate that rurality had a significant effect on food availability as measured by the Nutrition Environment Measures Surveys (NEMS) score (P < 0·01); there was a higher availability of healthy foods in rural compared to urban areas for convenience stores but not grocery stores. Healthier foods were also more available in chain stores compared to independent stores (P < 0·01) and in large stores compared to small and medium stores (P < 0·001 and P < 0·01, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The availability of and accessibility to less healthy foods in Nova Scotia food environment suggests that there is a need for government policy action to support a food environment that contributes to healthier diets.
Collapse
|
6
|
Vogel C, Abbott G, Ntani G, Barker M, Cooper C, Moon G, Ball K, Baird J. Examination of how food environment and psychological factors interact in their relationship with dietary behaviours: test of a cross-sectional model. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2019; 16:12. [PMID: 30700323 PMCID: PMC6354411 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-019-0772-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To improve population diet environmental strategies have been hailed the panacea because they require little agency or investment of personal resources; this contrasts with conventional strategies that rely on individuals to engage high levels of agency and make deliberate choices. There is an immediate need to improve understanding of the synergy between the psychological and environmental determinants of diet in order to optimise allocation of precious public health resources. This study examined the synergistic and relative association between a number of food environment and psychological factors and the dietary behaviours of a population sample of women with young children. METHODS Women in Hampshire were recruited from children's centres and asked about their demographic characteristics, psychological resources, dietary behaviours (food frequency questionnaire) and perceptions of healthy food access and affordability. Three local food environment factors were objectively assessed: i) spatial access to food outlets using activity spaces; ii) healthfulness of the supermarket where women did their main food shop, (based on nine in-store factors including price, placement and promotion on seven healthy and five less healthy foods); iii) nutrition environment of children's centres visited frequently by the women, assessed via staff-administered questionnaire. A theoretical model linking environmental factors to dietary behaviours, both directly and indirectly through three factors representing individual agency (psychological resources, perceived food affordability, perceived food accessibility), was tested using Structural Equation Modelling. RESULTS Complete data were available for 753 women. The environment of women's main supermarket was indirectly related to their dietary behaviours through psychological resources and perceived food affordability. Shopping at supermarkets classified as having a healthier in-store environment was associated with having greater psychological resources associated with healthy eating (standardised regression weight β = 0.14SD, p = 0.03) and fewer food affordability concerns (β = - 0.14SD, p = 0.01), which in turn related to healthier dietary behaviours (β = 0.55SD, < 0.001 and β = - 0.15, p = 0.01 respectively). The three food environment factors were not directly associated with dietary behaviour (p > 0.3). The overall model fit was good (CFI = 0.91, RMSEA = 0.05 [0.05, 0.06]). CONCLUSIONS This pathway analysis identified three focal points for intervention and suggests that high-agency interventions targeting individual psychological resources when combined with low-agency supermarket environment interventions may confer greater benefits on dietary behaviours than either intervention alone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christina Vogel
- Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD UK
- National Institute for Health Research Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, SO16 6YD UK
| | - Gavin Abbott
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Victoria 3125 Australia
| | - Georgia Ntani
- Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD UK
| | - Mary Barker
- Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD UK
- National Institute for Health Research Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, SO16 6YD UK
| | - Cyrus Cooper
- Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD UK
- National Institute for Health Research Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, SO16 6YD UK
| | - Graham Moon
- School of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Southampton, University Road, Southampton, SO17 1BJ UK
| | - Kylie Ball
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Hwy, Burwood, Victoria 3125 Australia
| | - Janis Baird
- Medical Research Council Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton General Hospital Tremona Road, Southampton, SO16 6YD UK
- National Institute for Health Research Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, SO16 6YD UK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lee AJ, Kane S, Lewis M, Good E, Pollard CM, Landrigan TJ, Dick M. Healthy diets ASAP - Australian Standardised Affordability and Pricing methods protocol. Nutr J 2018; 17:88. [PMID: 30261887 PMCID: PMC6161417 DOI: 10.1186/s12937-018-0396-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This paper describes the rationale, development and final protocol of the Healthy Diets Australian Standardised Affordability and Pricing (ASAP) method which aims to assess, compare and monitor the price, price differential and affordability of healthy (recommended) and current (unhealthy) diets in Australia. The protocol is consistent with the International Network for Food and Obesity / non-communicable Diseases Research, Monitoring and Action Support's (INFORMAS) optimal approach to monitor food price and affordability globally. METHODS The Healthy Diets ASAP protocol was developed based on literature review, drafting, piloting and revising, with key stakeholder consultation at all stages, including at a national forum. DISCUSSION The protocol was developed in five parts. Firstly, for the healthy (recommended) and current (unhealthy) diet pricing tools; secondly for calculation of median and low-income household incomes; thirdly for store location and sampling; fourthly for price data collection, and; finally for analysis and reporting. The Healthy Diets ASAP protocol constitutes a standardised approach to assess diet price and affordability to inform development of nutrition policy actions to reduce rates of diet-related chronic disease in Australia. It demonstrates application of the INFORMAS optimum food price and affordability methods at country level. Its wide application would enhance monitoring and utility of dietary price and affordability data from a health perspective in Australia. The protocol could be adapted in other countries to monitor the price, price differential and affordability of current and healthy diets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda J Lee
- The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, The Sax Institute, 10 Jones Street, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia.
| | - Sarah Kane
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Meron Lewis
- The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, The Sax Institute, 10 Jones Street, Ultimo, NSW, 2007, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Good
- Preventive Health Branch, Department of Health, Queensland Government, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Christina M Pollard
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Kent Street, GPO Box U1987, Perth, 6845, Western Australia.,Public Health Division, Department of Health, Government of Western Australia, 189 Royal Street, East Perth, 6004, Western Australia
| | - Timothy J Landrigan
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Kent Street, GPO Box U1987, Perth, 6845, Western Australia
| | - Mathew Dick
- Preventive Health Branch, Department of Health, Queensland Government, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Lee AJ, Kane S, Ramsey R, Good E, Dick M. Testing the price and affordability of healthy and current (unhealthy) diets and the potential impacts of policy change in Australia. BMC Public Health 2016; 16:315. [PMID: 27067642 PMCID: PMC4828857 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-2996-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Price and affordability of foods are important determinants of health. Targeted food pricing policies may help improve population diets. However, methods producing comparable data to inform relevant policy decisions are lacking in Australia and globally. The objective was to develop and pilot standardised methods to assess the price, relative price and affordability of healthy (recommended) and current (unhealthy) diets and test impacts of a potential policy change. METHODS Methods followed the optimal approach proposed by INFORMAS using recent Australian dietary intake data and guidelines. Draft healthy and current (unhealthy) diet baskets were developed for five household structures. Food prices were collected in stores in a high and low SES location in Brisbane, Australia. Diet prices were calculated and compared with household incomes, and with potential changes to the Australian Taxation System. Wilcoxen-signed rank tests were used to compare differences in price. RESULTS The draft tools and protocols were deemed acceptable at household level, but methods could be refined. All households spend more on current (unhealthy) diets than required to purchase healthy (recommended) diets, with the majority (53-64 %) of the food budget being spent on 'discretionary' choices, including take-away foods and alcohol. A healthy diet presently costs between 20-31 % of disposable income of low income households, but would become unaffordable for these families under proposed changes to expand the GST to apply to all foods in Australia. CONCLUSIONS Results confirmed that diet pricing methods providing meaningful, comparable data to inform potential fiscal and health policy actions can be developed, but draft tools should be refined. Results suggest that healthy diets can be more affordable than current (unhealthy) diets in Australia, but other factors may be as important as price in determining food choices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda J Lee
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| | - Sarah Kane
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Rebecca Ramsey
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Good
- Preventive Health Branch, Prevention Division, Department of Health, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Mathew Dick
- Preventive Health Branch, Prevention Division, Department of Health, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lu W, McKyer ELJ, Dowdy D, Evans A, Ory M, Hoelscher DM, Wang S, Miao J. Evaluating the Influence of the Revised Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Food Allocation Package on Healthy Food Availability, Accessibility, and Affordability in Texas. J Acad Nutr Diet 2015; 116:292-301. [PMID: 26673523 DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2015.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) was implemented to improve the health of pregnant women and children of low socioeconomic status. In 2009, the program was revised to provide a wider variety of healthy food choices (eg, fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain items). OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to evaluate (1) the impact of the revised WIC Nutrition Program's food allocation package on the availability, accessibility, and affordability of healthy foods in WIC-authorized grocery stores in Texas; and (2) how the impact of the policy change differed by store types and between rural and urban regions. DESIGN WIC-approved stores (n=105) across Texas were assessed using a validated instrument (88 items). Pre- (June-September 2009) and post-new WIC package implementation (June-September 2012) audits were conducted. Paired-sample t tests were conducted to compare the differences between pre- and post-implementation audits on shelf width and number of varieties (ie, availability), visibility (ie, accessibility), and inflation-adjusted price (ie, affordability). RESULTS Across the 105 stores, post-implementation audits showed increased availability in terms of shelf space for most key healthy food options, including fruit (P<0.001), vegetables (P<0.01), cereal (P<0.001), and varieties of vegetables (P<0.001). Food visibility increased for fresh juices (P<0.001). Visibility of WIC labeling improved for foods such as fruits (P<0.05), WIC cereal (P<0.05), and whole-grain or whole-wheat bread (P<0.01). Inflation-adjusted prices decreased only for bread (P<0.001) and dry grain beans (P<0.001). The positive effects of the policy change on food availability and visibility were observed in stores of different types and in different locations, although smaller or fewer effects were noted in small stores and stores in rural regions. CONCLUSIONS Implementation of the revised WIC food package has generally improved availability and accessibility, but not affordability, of healthy foods in WIC-authorized stores in Texas. Future studies are needed to explore the impact of the revised program on healthy food option purchases and consumption patterns among Texas WIC participants.
Collapse
|