1
|
Chappell E, Chan E, Deen C, Brimblecombe J, Cadet-James Y, Hefler M, Stubbs E, Ferguson M. Using photovoice to generate solutions to improve food security among families living in remote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:785. [PMID: 38481178 PMCID: PMC10935805 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18200-x] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The right to food security has been recognised internationally, and nationally in Australia by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations. This study aims to explore food (in)security and solutions for improvement of food security in remote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia, from the perspective of caregivers of children within the context of the family using photovoice. Participants took part in workshops discussing participant photographs of food (in)security, including solutions. Themes and sub-themes with associated solutions included traditional food use, sharing as a part of culture, the cost of healthy food, energy and transport, and housing and income. Community leaders used these data in setting priorities for advocacy to improve food security in their communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma Chappell
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia.
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, NT, 0811, Australia.
| | - Ellie Chan
- Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, Alice Springs, NT, 0871, Australia
| | - Caroline Deen
- Apunipima Cape York Health Council, Bungalow, QLD, 4870, Australia
| | - Julie Brimblecombe
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, NT, 0811, Australia
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food , Monash University, Level 1, 264 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Yvonne Cadet-James
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
- Apunipima Cape York Health Council, Bungalow, QLD, 4870, Australia
- Indigenous Education and Research Centre, James Cook University, Bungalow, QLD, 4870, Australia
| | - Marita Hefler
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, NT, 0811, Australia
| | - Emma Stubbs
- Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, Alice Springs, NT, 0871, Australia
| | - Megan Ferguson
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, 4006, Australia
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, NT, 0811, Australia
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food , Monash University, Level 1, 264 Ferntree Gully Road, Notting Hill, VIC, 3168, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Fogelholm M, Vepsäläinen H, Meinilä J, McRae C, Saarijärvi H, Erkkola M, Nevalainen J. The dynamics in food selection stemming from price awareness and perceived income adequacy: a cross-sectional study using 1-year loyalty card data. Am J Clin Nutr 2024:S0002-9165(24)00338-1. [PMID: 38458401 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.03.003] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Higher cost of healthy foods may explain unhealthy dietary patterns in lower-income households. Unfortunately, combining food selection and nutrient intake data to price and expenditure is challenging. Food retailer's customer loyalty card data, linked to nutrient composition database, is a novel method for simultaneous exploration of food purchases, price, and nutrition. OBJECTIVES We studied the associations between perceived income adequacy (PIA) as a grouping variable with price (per kilogram or megajoule) and the volume of purchases (percentage of expenditure or energy) simultaneously as outcome variables for 17 most purchased food groups. METHODS We used 1-year (2018) loyalty card data from the largest grocery chain in Finland. Participants were 28,783 loyalty cardholders who made ≥41% of food purchases from the retailer and answered an online questionnaire at the midpoint of data collection. The 5-level PIA described the perceived financial situation in the household. Energy and nutrient content of foods purchased were from the Finnish Food Composition Database Fineli. We calculated the Nutrient Rich Food Index per 100 g food using 11 nutrients. Trends in prices and expenditures between PIA levels were analyzed using 2-sided Jonckheere-Terpstra tests, with false discovery rate control (Benjamini-Hochberg method) and confounder adjustments (inverse probability weighting). RESULTS Lower PIA participants selected cheaper foods per kilogram and megajoule within most food groups. They also favored unhealthy food groups cheap in energy [<1 € (USD 1.18)/MJ]. Despite lower purchase price, the expenditure (%) among lower PIA was higher on alcohol, snacks, sugar-sweetened beverages, and sweets and chocolates. CONCLUSIONS Participants with lower PIA showed stronger price awareness. It is crucial to consider the pricing of competing alternative food groups, when steering toward environmentally sustainable and healthier food purchases. Package labeling might also direct the selection of healthier choices among the less expensive items within a food group.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mikael Fogelholm
- Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Henna Vepsäläinen
- Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jelena Meinilä
- Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Cameron McRae
- Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; McGill Centre for the Convergence of Health and Economics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Hannu Saarijärvi
- Faculty of Management and Business, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Maijaliisa Erkkola
- Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jaakko Nevalainen
- Faculty of Social Sciences, Unit of Health Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lewis M, Nash S, Lee AJ. Cost and Affordability of Habitual and Recommended Diets in Welfare-Dependent Households in Australia. Nutrients 2024; 16:659. [PMID: 38474788 PMCID: PMC10935407 DOI: 10.3390/nu16050659] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
It is crucial to ensure healthy diets are affordable in low socioeconomic groups, such as welfare-dependent households, who experience higher rates of diet-related disease than others. This study assessed the cost of habitual (unhealthy) and recommended (healthy) diets in six welfare-dependent and six other, comparable Australian households, using either popular branded products or the cheapest available alternatives. It also assessed diet affordability in welfare-dependent households, before and after modest increases in government welfare payments introduced in early September 2023. Results confirmed that recommended diets were less expensive than habitual diets in all households unless the cheapest available products were included. This strategy reduced habitual diet costs by 35-37% and recommended diet costs by 30-32%. The lower cost differential could aid perceptions that healthy foods are more expensive than unhealthy foods. In April 2023, 23-37% of the income of welfare-dependent households with children was required to purchase recommended diets; this reduced only to 20-35% in September 2023. Hence, the increases in welfare payments were insufficient to meaningfully improve the affordability of healthy diets in the most vulnerable Australians. In the current cost-of-living crisis, there is an urgent need for more welfare support to help purchase healthy diets. Monitoring of diet cost and affordability is also required.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meron Lewis
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia; (S.N.); (A.J.L.)
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
van Burgel E, Fairweather M, Hill A, Christian M, Ferguson M, Lee A, Funston S, Fredericks B, McMahon E, Pollard C, Brimblecombe J. Development of a survey tool to assess the environmental determinants of health-enabling food retail practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of remote Australia. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:442. [PMID: 38347471 PMCID: PMC10863203 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-17945-9] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Environmental factors can impact the ability of food retail businesses to implement best practice health-enabling food retail. METHODS We co-designed a short-item survey on factors influencing food retail health-enabling practice in a remote Australian setting. Publicly available submissions to an Australian Parliamentary Inquiry into food pricing and food security in remote Indigenous communities were coded using an existing remote community food systems assessment tool and thematically analysed. Themes informed survey questions that were then prioritised, refined and pre-tested with expert stakeholder input. RESULTS One-hundred and eleven submissions were coded, and 100 themes identified. Supply chain related data produced the most themes (n = 25). The resulting 26-item survey comprised questions to assess the perceived impact of environmental factors on a store's health-enabling practice (n = 20) and frequency of occurrence (n = 6). CONCLUSIONS The application of this evidence-informed, co-designed survey will provide a first-time cross-sectional analysis and the potential for ongoing longitudinal data and advocacy on how environmental factors affect the operations of remote stores.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma van Burgel
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3168, Australia.
| | - Molly Fairweather
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Amanda Hill
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Meaghan Christian
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Megan Ferguson
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3168, Australia
- Menzies School of Health Research, Royal Darwin Hospital Campus, Darwin, NT, Australia
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Amanda Lee
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Sarah Funston
- Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation, Darwin, NT, Australia
| | - Bronwyn Fredericks
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Emma McMahon
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3168, Australia
- Menzies School of Health Research, Royal Darwin Hospital Campus, Darwin, NT, Australia
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Christina Pollard
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Julie Brimblecombe
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3168, Australia
- Menzies School of Health Research, Royal Darwin Hospital Campus, Darwin, NT, Australia
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Houshialsadat Z, Cediel G, Sattamini I, Scrinis G, Machado P. Ultra-processed foods, dietary diversity and micronutrient intakes in the Australian population. Eur J Nutr 2024; 63:135-144. [PMID: 37798558 PMCID: PMC10798929 DOI: 10.1007/s00394-023-03245-2] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the association between ultra-processed foods consumption and dietary diversity and micronutrient intake in Australia. METHODS As part of the Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (2011-2012), 12,153 participants aged 2 years and above were recruited and interviewed. Dietary intake data were collected by two 24-h dietary recalls using the Automated Multiple-Pass Method. The NOVA classification system was used to group the food items based on the extent and purpose of industrial food processing. The mean micronutrient contents were calculated for the total diet, and for two diet fractions; one made up entirely of ultra-processed foods (NOVA group 4) and the other consisting of all non-ultra-processed foods (aggregation of NOVA food groups 1 to 3). The mean micronutrient content in the ultra-processed and non-ultra-processed food diet fractions were compared. Dietary diversity was measured using the ten Food Group Indicators (FGI) of the Food and Agriculture Organization and was defined as the sum number of FGIs per individual. Multiple linear regression models were used to assess the association between the quintiles of energy contribution of ultra-processed foods, dietary diversity, and micronutrient intake. RESULTS A negative association was found between quintiles of energy contribution of ultra-processed foods and dietary diversity (β = - 0.43; p < 0.001). The overall micronutrient content was lower in the diet fraction dominated by ultra-processed foods compared to the non-ultra-processed food diet fraction in the study population. The dietary contents of vitamins A, E, C, B9, B12, zinc, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus were reduced significantly with increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, even after adjustment for sociodemographic factors and dietary diversity. CONCLUSION The quintiles of energy contribution of ultra-processed foods were negatively associated with dietary diversity and micronutrient intake in Australia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Houshialsadat
- School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Ecole des hautes études en santé publique, Paris, France
| | - Gustavo Cediel
- Escuela de Nutrición y Dietética, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Isabela Sattamini
- Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, Pan-American Health Organization/World Health Organization, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Gyorgy Scrinis
- School of Agriculture and Food, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Priscila Machado
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Maganja D, Coyle DH, Huang L, Pettigrew S, Shahid M. Changes in household food grocery shopping patterns in Melbourne, Australia during COVID-19 restrictions in 2020. Aust N Z J Public Health 2023; 47:100088. [PMID: 37742389 DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100088] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of COVID-19 restrictions in Melbourne, 2020, on food grocery purchases. METHODS Grocery purchase data for 2019 and 2020 were accessed for 1,413 Melbourne households (NielsenIQ Homescan Consumer Panel) and linked to a nutrition composition database (FoodSwitch). RESULTS Per capita expenditure and dietary energy from groceries increased by 21.2% and 17.7%, respectively, during lockdowns, with marginally larger increases in expenditure and energy purchases from unhealthy products than healthy products (21.9% and 18.0% v 20.2% and 17.5%). The most socioeconomically disadvantaged households spent the least on but purchased the most energy from unhealthy products during lockdowns ($108 and 109MJ per capita per month), with the inverse found for the most advantaged households ($121 and 102MJ per capita per month). An increase in the overall proportion of total expenditure from unhealthy products during lockdowns was identified (+0.7%); however, there was no evidence of a difference in the proportion of energy purchased from unhealthy products. For most quintiles of household socioeconomic disadvantage/advantage, there were no statistically significant changes in the contribution of unhealthy products to total expenditure and energy purchases. CONCLUSIONS There was no substantial deterioration in the healthiness of grocery purchases during COVID-19 lockdowns in Melbourne. However, any additional purchases of unhealthy products are a concern. Further research on other sources of foods and drinks is also required to ascertain impacts on broader dietary patterns. IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH The increase in energy purchased may have implications for overweight and obesity as a risk factor for COVID-19 and chronic diseases. Governments and retailers may need to consider measures to encourage improved diet quality during future crises.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Damian Maganja
- The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Daisy H Coyle
- The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, Australia.
| | - Liping Huang
- The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, Australia.
| | | | - Maria Shahid
- The George Institute for Global Health, London, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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.
Collapse
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
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Whelan J, Brimblecombe J, Christian M, Vargas C, Ferguson M, McMahon E, Lee A, Bell C, Boelsen-Robinson T, Blake MR, Lewis M, Alston L, Allender S. CO-Creation and Evaluation of Food Environments to Advance Community Health (COACH). AJPM Focus 2023; 2:100111. [PMID: 37790671 PMCID: PMC10546519 DOI: 10.1016/j.focus.2023.100111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [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] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Introduction Food environments are a key determinant of food intake and diet-related health. This paper describes the development of an iterative, adaptive, context-specific framework for health-enabling food environments embedded in cocreation theory. Methods A 3-stage multimethod framework for the coproduction and prototyping of public health interventions was followed in an iterative manner during the development of the framework. These 3 stages were (1) evidence review, including systematic review, consultation with experts, and observation of current work; (2) codesign of the framework prototype with multiple stakeholders; and (3) coproduction through refinement of the prototype through stakeholder workshops and expert reviews with incorporation of researcher notes and workshop evaluation. We use the term prototype during the development phase and the term framework to report on the final product. Results COACH (CO-creation and evaluation of food environments to Advance Community Health) is a process framework that describes what best practice application of cocreation in health-enabling food retail environments should involve. COACH consists of 10 interdependent factors within a 4-phase continuous quality improvement cycle. The 4 phases of the cycle are engagement and governance establishment, communication and policy alignment, codesign and implementation, and monitoring and evaluation. Conclusions Utilizing cocreation theory represents an innovative step in research and practice to improve the healthiness of food retail environments. COACH provides a specific, unique, and comprehensive guide to the utilization of cocreation to improve the healthiness of food environments in practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jillian Whelan
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition (GLOBE), Institute of Health Transformation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Julie Brimblecombe
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Meaghan Christian
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Carmen Vargas
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition (GLOBE), Institute of Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Megan Ferguson
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Wellbeing and Preventable Chronic Disease Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, Australia
| | - Emma McMahon
- Wellbeing and Preventable Chronic Disease Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Darwin, Australia
| | - Amanda Lee
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Colin Bell
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition (GLOBE), Institute of Health Transformation, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Tara Boelsen-Robinson
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition (GLOBE), Institute of Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Miranda R. Blake
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition (GLOBE), Institute of Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Meron Lewis
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Laura Alston
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition (GLOBE), Institute of Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
- Deakin Rural Health, School of Medicine, Deakin University, Warrnambool, Australia
| | - Steven Allender
- Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition (GLOBE), Institute of Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Caamaño MC, García OP, Rosado JL. Food insecurity is associated with glycemic markers, and socioeconomic status and low-cost diets are associated with lipid metabolism in Mexican mothers. Nutr Res 2023; 116:24-36. [PMID: 37329865 DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2023.05.011] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The association between socioeconomic status (SES) and chronic disease has recently become more evident in middle- and low-income countries. We hypothesized that poor socioeconomic conditions, such as food insecurity, low educational level, or low SES, may restrict access to a healthy diet and may be associated with cardiometabolic risk independently of body fat. This study examined the relation between socioeconomic indicators, body fat, and cardiometabolic disease risk markers in a random sample of mothers living in Queretaro, Mexico. Young and middle-aged mothers (n = 321) answered validated questionnaires to determine SES, food insecurity, and educational level and a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire to determine dietary patterns and the cost of individual diet. Clinical measurements included anthropometry, blood pressure, lipids profile, glucose, and insulin. Obesity was present in 29% of the participants. Women with moderate food insecurity had higher waist circumference, glucose, insulin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance than women with food security. High triglyceride concentration and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were associated with lower SES and lower educational level. Women who consumed a lower carbohydrate diet had higher SES, higher education, and better cardiovascular risk markers. The higher carbohydrate diet profile was the least expensive diet. There was an inverse association between the cost and energy-density of foods. In conclusion, food insecurity was associated with glycemic control markers, and lower SES and education were related to a low-cost, higher carbohydrate diet and to a greater cardiovascular risk. The influence of the social environment on obesity and cardiovascular diseases needs to be further explored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- María C Caamaño
- School of Natural Sciences, Autonomus University of Queretaro. Av Ciencias SN, Juriquilla 76230, Querétaro, Qro. México
| | - Olga P García
- School of Natural Sciences, Autonomus University of Queretaro. Av Ciencias SN, Juriquilla 76230, Querétaro, Qro. México
| | - Jorge L Rosado
- School of Natural Sciences, Autonomus University of Queretaro. Av Ciencias SN, Juriquilla 76230, Querétaro, Qro. México.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Hossain M, Huq MN, Abdulla F. Child nutrition requires affordable healthy food. Science 2023; 380:1115. [PMID: 37319213 DOI: 10.1126/science.adi3972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Moyazzem Hossain
- Department of Statistics, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammed Nazmul Huq
- Department of Statistics, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh
| | - Faruq Abdulla
- Cancer Care and Research Trust Bangladesh (CCRTB), Dhaka 1204, Bangladesh
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Hough G, Contarini A. Can low-income consumers choose food from sustainable production methods? Curr Opin Food Sci 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cofs.2023.101035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
|
12
|
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. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:3146. [PMID: 36833837 PMCID: PMC9967271 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20043146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meron Lewis
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Ferguson M, Tonkin E, Brimblecombe J, Lee A, Fredericks B, Cullerton K, Mah CL, Brown C, McMahon E, Chatfield MD, Miles E, Cadet-James Y. Communities Setting the Direction for Their Right to Nutritious, Affordable Food: Co-Design of the Remote Food Security Project in Australian Indigenous Communities. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023; 20:2936. [PMID: 36833632 PMCID: PMC9957436 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20042936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Despite long histories of traditional food security, Indigenous peoples globally are disproportionately exposed to food insecurity. Addressing this imbalance must be a partnership led by Indigenous peoples in accordance with the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We report the co-design process and resulting design of a food security research project in remote Australia and examine how the co-design process considered Indigenous peoples' ways of knowing, being, and doing using the CREATE Tool. Informed by the Research for Impact Tool, together Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation staff, Indigenous and non-Indigenous public health researchers designed the project from 2018-2019, over a series of workshops and through the establishment of research advisory groups. The resulting Remote Food Security Project includes two phases. Phase 1 determines the impact of a healthy food price discount strategy on the diet quality of women and children, and the experience of food (in)security in remote communities in Australia. In Phase 2, community members propose solutions to improve food security and develop a translation plan. Examination with the CREATE Tool showed that employing a co-design process guided by a best practice tool has resulted in a research design that responds to calls for food security in remote Indigenous communities in Australia. The design takes a strengths-based approach consistent with a human rights, social justice, and broader empowerment agenda. Trial registration: The trial included in Phase 1 of this project has been registered with Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12621000640808.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megan Ferguson
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
- Wellbeing and Preventable Chronic Disease Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, NT 0810, Australia
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Emma Tonkin
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Julie Brimblecombe
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
- Wellbeing and Preventable Chronic Disease Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, NT 0810, Australia
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Amanda Lee
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Bronwyn Fredericks
- Office of the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement), The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Katherine Cullerton
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Catherine L. Mah
- School of Health Administration, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Clare Brown
- Apunipima Cape York Health Council, Bungalow, QLD 4870, Australia
| | - Emma McMahon
- Wellbeing and Preventable Chronic Disease Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, NT 0810, Australia
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3168, Australia
| | - Mark D. Chatfield
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
| | - Eddie Miles
- Wellbeing and Preventable Chronic Disease Division, Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, NT 0810, Australia
| | - Yvonne Cadet-James
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
- Apunipima Cape York Health Council, Bungalow, QLD 4870, Australia
- Indigenous Education and Research Centre, James Cook University, Bungalow, QLD 4870, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Darcy M, Parkinson J, McDonald N, Moriarty S, Kadariya S, Sapkota D. Geographic remoteness and socioeconomic disadvantage reduce the supportiveness of food and physical activity environments in Australia. Aust N Z J Public Health 2022; 46:346-353. [PMID: 35357735 DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.13227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE An analysis of food and physical activity environments in relation to socioeconomic disadvantage was conducted in 25 communities across Queensland, Australia. METHODS Physical activity and food environments were assessed in 25 Queensland communities using The Systematic Pedestrian and Cycling Environmental Scan (SPACES) and the Nutrition Environment Measurement Survey (NEMS). Spearman's correlation tested the association between physical activity and food environments and degree of remoteness and socioeconomic disadvantage of each region. RESULTS A significant negative association was observed between the supermarket food environment and degree of remoteness and socioeconomic disadvantage. All regions have a moderately supportive environment for physical activity. Food availability and price varied in supermarkets with more remote communities having less supportive food environments. CONCLUSIONS Areas with a high degree of remoteness and socioeconomic disadvantage were more likely to experience disadvantages in the physical activity, supermarket, and restaurant food environments than metropolitan areas and socioeconomically disadvantaged areas. IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH Socioeconomic disadvantage and remoteness were associated with reduced supportiveness of the built environment hindering the ability of consumers to make healthy food and physical activity choices. Improving the food and physical activity environments in these areas may assist in reducing the health inequalities experienced by these communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Morgan Darcy
- Griffith Business School, Griffith University, Queensland
| | - Joy Parkinson
- Griffith Business School, Griffith University, Queensland
| | | | | | | | - Diksha Sapkota
- Griffith Criminology Institute, Griffith University, Queensland
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Lee AJ, Patay D, Summons S, Lewis M, Herron LM, Nona F, Canuto C, Ferguson M, Twist A. Cost and affordability of healthy, equitable and more sustainable diets in the Torres Strait Islands. Aust N Z J Public Health 2022; 46:340-345. [PMID: 35298051 DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.13225] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the cost, cost differential and affordability of current and recommended (healthy, equitable, culturally acceptable and more sustainable) diets in the Torres Strait Islands and compare with other Queensland locations. METHODS The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healthy Diets ASAP (Australian Standardised Affordability and Pricing) methods protocol was applied in five randomly selected communities in the Torres Strait Islands. RESULTS The current diet was 32% more expensive than that recommended; 'discretionary' foods comprised 64% of the current diet cost. Families could save at least A$281.38 a fortnight by switching to recommended diets. However, these cost 35-40% more than elsewhere in Queensland. Recommended diets would cost 35% of median and 48% of welfare household income in the Torres Straits. CONCLUSIONS While less expensive than the current diet, recommended diets are unaffordable for most households. Consequently, many Torres Strait Islander families are at high risk of food insecurity and diet-related disease. IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH Urgent policy action is required to further lower the relative price of recommended diets, and also increase household incomes and welfare supplements to equitably improve food security and diet-related health, and contribute to environmental sustainability in the Torres Strait Islands.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda J Lee
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland
| | - Dori Patay
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland
| | - Susannah Summons
- Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service, Queensland Health, Thursday Island, Queensland
| | - Meron Lewis
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland
| | - Lisa-Maree Herron
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland
| | - Francis Nona
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland
| | - Condy Canuto
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland
| | - Megan Ferguson
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland
| | - Aletia Twist
- Mura Kosker Sorority Inc., Thursday Island, Torres Strait
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Donovan K, Lenferna De La Motte KA, Zinn C. Healthy Food Affordability in a New Zealand Context: Perception or Reality? Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/19320248.2022.2047862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Katie Donovan
- Auckland University of Technology, Human Potential Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Caryn Zinn
- Auckland University of Technology, Human Potential Centre, Auckland, New Zealand
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Zorbas C, Brooks R, Bennett R, Lee A, Marshall J, Naughton S, Lewis M, Peeters A, Backholer K. Costing recommended (healthy) and current (unhealthy) diets in urban and inner regional areas of Australia using remote price collection methods. Public Health Nutr 2022; 25:528-37. [PMID: 34544513 DOI: 10.1017/S1368980021004006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the cost and affordability of two fortnightly diets (representing the national guidelines and current consumption) across areas containing Australia's major supermarkets. DESIGN The Healthy Diets Australian Standardised Affordability and Pricing protocol was used. SETTING Price data were collected online and via phone calls in fifty-one urban and inner regional locations across Australia. PARTICIPANTS Not applicable. RESULTS Healthy diets were consistently less expensive than current (unhealthy) diets. Nonetheless, healthy diets would cost 25-26 % of the disposable income for low-income households and 30-31 % of the poverty line. Differences in gross incomes (the most available income metric which overrepresents disposable income) drove national variations in diet affordability (from 14 % of the median gross household incomes in the Australian Capital Territory and Northern Territory to 25 % of the median gross household income in Tasmania). CONCLUSIONS In Australian cities and regional areas with major supermarkets, access to affordable diets remains problematic for families receiving low incomes. These findings are likely to be exacerbated in outer regional and remote areas (not included in this study). To make healthy diets economically appealing, policies that reduce the (absolute and relative) costs of healthy diets and increase the incomes of Australians living in poverty are required.
Collapse
|
18
|
Lewis M, McNaughton SA, Rychetnik L, Chatfield MD, Lee AJ. Dietary Intake, Cost, and Affordability by Socioeconomic Group in Australia. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph182413315. [PMID: 34948926 PMCID: PMC8703846 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182413315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Few Australians consume diets consistent with the Australian Dietary Guidelines. A major problem is high intake of discretionary food and drinks (those not needed for health and high in saturated fat, added sugar, salt and/or alcohol). Low socioeconomic groups (SEGs) suffer particularly poor diet-related health. Surprisingly, detailed quantitative dietary data across SEGs was lacking. Analysis of the most recent national nutrition survey data produced habitual intakes of a reference household (two adults and two children) in SEG quintiles of household income. Cost and affordability of habitual and recommended diets for the reference household were determined using methods based on the Healthy Diets Australian Standardised Affordability and Pricing protocol. Low SEGs reported significantly lower intakes of healthy food and drinks yet similarly high intakes of discretionary choices to high SEGs (435 serves/fortnight). Total habitual diets of low SEGs cost significantly less than those of high SEGs (AU$751/fortnight to AU$853/fortnight). Results confirmed low SEGs cannot afford a healthy diet. Lower intakes of healthy choices in low SEGs may help explain their higher rates of diet-related disease compared to higher SEGs. The findings can inform potential policy actions to improve affordability of healthy foods and help drive healthier diets for all Australians.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meron Lewis
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Australia; (M.D.C.); (A.J.L.)
- The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, The Sax Institute, Glebe 2037, Australia;
- Correspondence:
| | - Sarah A. McNaughton
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia;
| | - Lucie Rychetnik
- The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, The Sax Institute, Glebe 2037, Australia;
- School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Glebe 2037, Australia
| | - Mark D. Chatfield
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Australia; (M.D.C.); (A.J.L.)
| | - Amanda J. Lee
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Australia; (M.D.C.); (A.J.L.)
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
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: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 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.
Collapse
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.)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Hutchesson MJ, Whatnall MC, Patterson AJ. On-campus food purchasing behaviours and satisfaction of Australian university students. Health Promot J Austr 2021; 33:649-656. [PMID: 34716937 DOI: 10.1002/hpja.551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
ISSUE ADDRESSED Many university students have unhealthy dietary intake. The food environment on university campuses is a potentially important contributor to students' diet. This study aimed to describe on-campus food purchasing behaviours; satisfaction with the cost and availability of foods and beverages on-campus; and preferences for the on-campus food environment, in a sample of Australian university students. METHODS An online cross-sectional survey of 409 students at the University of Newcastle, Australia was conducted in 2017-2018. The survey assessed on-campus purchasing behaviours (frequency of purchase and expenditure), satisfaction with the cost and availability of foods, preferences for the on-campus food environment, and socio-demographics (eg age, domestic/international student). Results are reported as basic descriptive statistics. RESULTS The majority of students (94%) purchased food or beverages on-campus, with 59% purchasing at least once per week. Satisfaction with the availability of foods was low (35.8% satisfied with the types of main meals available, and 48.5% for snacks); however, 72.8% were satisfied with types of beverages available. The majority of students were not satisfied with the cost of food and beverages (<40%). The top-rated preferences for changes to the on-campus food environment were healthier options, higher quality food, and cheaper food. CONCLUSION Overall, the findings demonstrate strong support from students for healthier and cheaper food to be made available on-campus. SO WHAT?: There are two main factors of concern with regard to university food environments; the healthiness of food and beverage options and their cost. These should be key considerations of any future strategies aiming to improve university food environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melinda J Hutchesson
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Megan C Whatnall
- Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Amanda J Patterson
- Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Lewis M, McNaughton SA, Rychetnik L, Lee AJ. Cost and Affordability of Healthy, Equitable and Sustainable Diets in Low Socioeconomic Groups in Australia. Nutrients 2021; 13:2900. [PMID: 34445059 DOI: 10.3390/nu13082900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Few Australians consume a healthy, equitable and more sustainable diet consistent with the Australian Dietary Guidelines (ADGs). Low socioeconomic groups (SEGs) suffer particularly poor diet-related health problems. However, granular information on dietary intakes and affordability of recommended diets was lacking for low SEGs. The Healthy Diets Australian Standardised Affordability and Pricing protocol was modified for low SEGs to align with relevant dietary intakes reported in the National Nutrition Survey 2011–2012(which included less healthy and more discretionary options than the broader population), household structures, food purchasing habits, and incomes. Cost and affordability of habitual and recommended diets of low SEGs were calculated using prices of ‘standard brands’ and ‘cheapest options’. With ‘standard brands’, recommended diets cost less than habitual diets, but were unaffordable for low SEGs. With ‘cheapest options’, both diets were more affordable, but recommended diets cost more than habitual diets for some low SEGs, potentially contributing to perceptions that healthy food is unaffordable. The study confirms the need for an equity lens to better target dietary guidelines for low SEGs. It also highlights urgent policy action is needed to help improve affordability of recommended diets.
Collapse
|