Costing ‘healthy’ food baskets in Australia – a systematic review of food price and affordability monitoring tools, protocols and methods

AbstractObjectiveTo undertake a systematic review to determine similarities and differences in metrics and results between recently and/or currently used tools, protocols and methods for monitoring Australian healthy food prices and affordability.DesignElectronic databases of peer-reviewed literature and online grey literature were systematically searched using the PRISMA approach for articles and reports relating to healthy food and diet price assessment tools, protocols, methods and results that utilised retail pricing.SettingNational, state, regional and local areas of Australia from 1995 to 2015.SubjectsAssessment tools, protocols and methods to measure the price of ‘healthy’ foods and diets.ResultsThe search identified fifty-nine discrete surveys of ‘healthy’ food pricing incorporating six major food pricing tools (those used in multiple areas and time periods) and five minor food pricing tools (those used in a single survey area or time period). Analysis demonstrated methodological differences regarding: included foods; reference households; use of availability and/or quality measures; household income sources; store sampling methods; data collection protocols; analysis methods; and results.Conclusions‘Healthy’ food price assessment methods used in Australia lack comparability across all metrics and most do not fully align with a ‘healthy’ diet as recommended by the current Australian Dietary Guidelines. None have been applied nationally. Assessment of the price, price differential and affordability of healthy (recommended) and current (unhealthy) diets would provide more robust and meaningful data to inform health and fiscal policy in Australia. The INFORMAS ‘optimal’ approach provides a potential framework for development of these methods.

Download Full-text

Food choice motivations among Ardabil – Iran adults?

Nutrition & Food Science ◽

10.1108/nfs-04-2019-0117 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 50 (4) ◽

pp. 641-652 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mahsa Mohajeri ◽

Shiva Hoojeghani ◽

Azimeh Izadi ◽

Mohammad Ghahremanzadeh ◽

Farhad Pourfarzi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Food Intake ◽

Food Choice ◽

Vegetable Consumption ◽

Food Prices ◽

Healthy Food ◽

Food Price ◽

Focus Group Study ◽

Content Type ◽

Study Results

Purpose This study aims to investigate the food choice motivations and some healthy food intake among Ardabil adults with different socioeconomic status. Design/methodology/approach The analysis is based on a focus group study conducted in September 2018. Self-assessed other food choice motivations, healthy food intake and socioeconomic status were reported in questionnaires. The study data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA test and χ2 test in groups of study. Findings Price was a primary motivation of food choice for low-level socioeconomic status persons. The wealthiest people total vegetable consumption was 3.59Â ± 0.004 serving/day, whereas the total vegetable consumption of poorest participants was significantly less than them (p = 0.012). Of the socioeconomics category 1 (SEC1) group participants, 82 per cent said that they consider food price when they were purchasing for their households, while only 28 per cent of SEC4 group said that they consider food prices when food choosing. Only 1 per cent of this group participants pay attention to food label when they choose foods. Originality/value This is the first study that investigated the food choice motivations in Ardabil adults. The results indicated that food price is the most critical food choice motivation. Based on this study results, the food policymaker can change people food security and food choices with some programs like as healthy food subsidies and unhealthy food taxes.

Download Full-text

Mapping access to food in a deprived area: the development of price and availability indices

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980000000057 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 31-38 ◽

Cited By ~ 77

Author(s):

Angela JM Donkin ◽

Elizabeth A Dowler ◽

Simon J Stevenson ◽

Sheila A Turner

Keyword(s):

Price Index ◽

Food Prices ◽

Healthy Food ◽

Dietary Guidelines ◽

Cost Index ◽

The Mean ◽

Using Data ◽

Availability Index ◽

The Cost ◽

Gis Software

AbstractObjectiveTo develop and map indices to illustrate variation in the cost and availability of healthy food.DesignTwo contiguous wards in London were selected by virtue of their high Carstairs deprivation scores. A 2-km area was defined around a randomly chosen central point. All retail outlets selling food within the area were visited and their location recorded. A list of foods, acceptable to the local ethnically diverse population, which met current dietary guidelines, was devised. Data on the availability and price of 71 food items were collected. Indices were developed using SPSS and mapped using Geographic Information System (GIS) software.ResultsInformation on availability and prices were collected from 199 outlets. The mean price index shows how expensive a shop is relative to other shops in the area. The least cost index shows the relative expense of a shop using the cheapest ways of buying their range of foods. Shorthand indices were tested, using data on 19 of the 71 prices. Availability indices are also discussed, including a green availability index and a fresh green availability index. Illustrative maps of the shop locations and the mean price index and fresh green availability index are shown.ConclusionsData can be collected and indices developed which indicate geographic variation in shop ‘expensiveness’, and in the price and availability of healthy food. GIS software can be used to map these indices, to identify areas with high food prices or low availability.

Download Full-text

Assessment of humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to pertussis vaccination: a systematic review protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2018-028109 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (6) ◽

pp. e028109 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Funbi Akinola ◽

Rudzani Muloiwa ◽

Gregory, D Hussey ◽

Violette Dirix ◽

Benjamin Kagina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Immune Response ◽

Immune Responses ◽

Public Space ◽

Systematic Reviews ◽

Data Extraction ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Assessment Tools ◽

Population Type

IntroductionGlobally, some studies show a resurgence of pertussis. The risks and benefits of using whole-cell pertussis (wP) or acellular pertussis (aP) vaccines in the control of the disease have been widely debated. Better control of pertussis will require improved understanding of the immune response to pertussis vaccines. Improved understanding and assessment of the immunity induced by pertussis vaccines is thus imperative. Several studies have documented different immunological outcomes to pertussis vaccination from an array of assays. We propose to conduct a systematic review of the different immunological assays and outcomes used in the assessment of the humoraland cell-mediated immune response following pertussis vaccination.Methods and analysisThe primary outcomes for consideration are quality and quantity of immune responses (humoral and cell-mediated) post-pertussis vaccination. Of interest as secondary outcomes are types of immunoassays used in assessing immune responses post-pertussis vaccination, types of biological samples used in assessing immune responses post-pertussis vaccination, as well as the types of antigens used to stimulate these samples during post-pertussis vaccination immune response assessments. Different electronic databases (including PubMed, Cochrane, EBSCO Host, Scopus and Web of Science) will be accessed for peer-reviewed published and grey literature evaluating immune responses to pertussis vaccines between 1990 and 2019. The quality of included articles will be assessed using standardised risk and quality assessment tools specific to the study design used in each article. Data extraction will be done using a data extraction form. The extracted data will be analysed using STATA V.14.0 and RevMan V.5.3 software. A subgroup analysis will be conducted based on the study population, type of vaccine (wP or aP) and type of immune response (cell-mediated or humoral). Guidelines for reporting systematic reviews in the revised 2009 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement will be used in this study.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval is not required for this study as it is a systematic review. We will only make use of data already available in the public space. Findings will be reported via publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at scientific meetings and workshops.Trial registration numberCRD42018102455.

Download Full-text

Methodological quality of public health guideline recommendations on vitamin D and calcium : a systematic review protocol

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031840 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. e031840 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Zhaoli Dai ◽

Cynthia M Kroeger ◽

Sally McDonald ◽

Matthew J Page ◽

Joanne E McKenzie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Bone Health ◽

Methodological Quality ◽

Guideline Development ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Dietary Guidelines ◽

Published Data

IntroductionCurrent recommendations for vitamin D and calcium in dietary guidelines and bone health guidelines vary significantly among countries and professional organisations. It is unknown whether the methods used to develop these recommendations followed a rigourous process and how the differences in methods used may affect the recommended intakes of vitamin D and calcium. The objectives of this study are (1) collate and compare recommendations for vitamin D and calcium across guidelines, (2) appraise methodological quality of the guideline recommendations and (3) identify methodological factors that may affect the recommended intakes for vitamin D and calcium. This study will make a significant contribution to enhancing the methodological rigour in public health guidelines for vitamin D and calcium recommendations.Methods and analysesWe will conduct a systematic review to evaluate vitamin D and calcium recommendations for osteoporosis prevention in generally healthy middle-aged and older adults. Methodological assessment will be performed for each guideline against those outlined in the 2014 WHO handbook for guideline development. A systematic search strategy will be applied to locate food-based dietary guidelines and bone health guidelines indexed in various electronic databases, guideline repositories and grey literature from 1 January 2009 to 28 February 2019. Descriptive statistics will be used to summarise the data on intake recommendation and on proportion of guidelines consistent with the WHO criteria. Logistic regression, if feasible, will be used to assess the relationships between the methodological factors and the recommendation intakes.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval is not required as we will only extract published data or information from the published guidelines. Results of this review will be disseminated through conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42019126452

Download Full-text

Factors that impact burnout and psychological wellbeing in Australian postgraduate medical trainees: a systematic review protocol

Systematic Reviews ◽

10.1186/s13643-021-01809-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Belinda Balhatchet ◽

Heike Schütze ◽

Nicole Williams ◽

Bruce Ashford

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Healthcare System ◽

Medical Training ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Standard Form ◽

Assessment Tools ◽

Psychological Wellbeing ◽

Future Research ◽

Medical Trainees

Abstract Background The stressful nature of medical training and other work-related factors put postgraduate medical trainees at high risk of burnout and poor psychological wellbeing. This has negative implications for patient care and the effectiveness of the healthcare system. The structure of the healthcare system and postgraduate medical education in Australia is different to that of other countries. Whilst a significant body of research exists on burnout and wellbeing in trainees in the USA, evidence specific to Australian trainees is lacking. The aim of this review is to synthesise the current knowledge on the factors that impact burnout and psychological wellbeing in Australian postgraduate medical trainees. Methods/design A systematic review will be conducted across eight digital databases: Academic Search Complete, MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, PsychInfo, Scopus, CINAHL Plus and Informit Health Collection. Peer reviewed empirical studies and relevant grey literature published after 2000 that address an aspect of burnout or psychological wellbeing in Australian postgraduate medical trainees will be included. Two reviewers will independently review each article against the inclusion and exclusion criteria, with disagreements resolved via discussion and consensus. Data will be extracted using a standard form and quality will be assessed using the assessment tools available from the Joanna Briggs Institute. A thematic narrative synthesis of the studies will be presented, along with an assessment of current gaps in the literature and areas for future research. Discussion This review will be the first to integrate the evidence on burnout and psychological wellbeing specific to Australian postgraduate medical trainees. The findings will contribute to a better understanding of the factors that impact burnout and psychological wellbeing in this population and will lay the foundation for future research into appropriate strategic interventions. Systematic review registration This protocol has been registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO: CRD42020203195).

Download Full-text

The Cost of Recommended Diets: Development and Application a Food Price Index Based on Food-Based Dietary Guidelines (P10-033-19)

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzz034.p10-033-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Anna Herforth ◽

William Masters ◽

Yan Bai ◽

Daniel Sarpong

Keyword(s):

Price Index ◽

Food Prices ◽

Food Price ◽

Dietary Guidelines ◽

Monitoring Systems ◽

Full Potential ◽

Food Category ◽

Price Data ◽

Using Data ◽

The Cost

Abstract Objectives Food price data is routinely collected by governments but has not been utilized to its full potential for tracking the cost of nutritious diets. Food prices typically are used to monitor the cost of a basket of goods purchased by consumers, which may bear little relation to recommended diets. National food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG) attempt to provide specific, actionable recommendations for diets that meet nutritional needs and protect long-term health, based on expert evidence review and in-country dialogue. The objective of this research is to show how governments can use their food price data to track the cost of meeting FBDG. Methods The Cost of Recommended Diets (CoRD) is an estimate of the minimum cost of meeting FBDG. It requires data on food prices and quantitative FBDG. Food price data can be sourced from national statistical organizations that track inflation using a Consumer Price Index (CPI); from ministries of food/agriculture/trade; and from national household budget surveys. CoRD is calculated by identifying the least-cost 2–3 foods (by edible portion) in each food category contained in FBDG (e.g., starchy staples, protein foods, dairy, fruits, vegetables, oils), and summing the mean cost of obtaining the average gram amounts of each group. We demonstrate the results of CoRD using data from Ghana. A stakeholder dialogue was conducted with official food price data collectors in Ghana in 2016–2018 on the applicability of CoRD within existing monitoring systems. Results Using data from the Ghana Statistical Service and the Ghana Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), we find that meeting FBDG for vegetables and fruits is relatively expensive compared to starchy staples and the cheapest forms of protein foods, and that consumers typically underspend on fruits and vegetables compared to the expenditure shares required to obtain recommended amounts. MoFA has made changes in their food price monitoring system to enable tracking of CoRD. Conclusions The CoRD indicator is a policy-coherent metric of food prices that measures the cost of meeting FBDG. It rests on existing data and can be incorporated into national food price monitoring systems. Funding Sources Funding for this work is provided by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and DFID, partially through an IMMANA (Innovative Metrics and Methods for Agriculture and Nutrition Actions) grant.

Download Full-text

The impact of therapeutic opioid agonists on driving-related psychomotor skills assessed by a driving simulator or an on-road driving task: A systematic review

Palliative Medicine ◽

10.1177/0269216317746583 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 32 (4) ◽

pp. 786-803 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Diana H Ferreira ◽

Jason W Boland ◽

Jane L Phillips ◽

Lawrence Lam ◽

David C Currow

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Chronic Pain ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Driving Performance ◽

Assessment Tools ◽

Community Safety ◽

Psychomotor Skills ◽

Inclusion Criteria ◽

Opioid Agonists ◽

The Impact

Background: Driving cessation is associated with poor health-related outcomes. People with chronic diseases are often prescribed long-term opioid agonists that have the potential to impair driving. Studies evaluating the impact of opioids on driving-related psychomotor skills report contradictory results likely due to heterogeneous designs, assessment tools and study populations. A better understanding of the effects of regular therapeutic opioid agonists on driving can help to inform the balance between individual’s independence and community safety. Aim: To identify the literature assessing the impact of regular therapeutic opioid agonists on driving-related psychomotor skills for people with chronic pain or chronic breathlessness. Design: Systematic review reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis statement; PROSPERO Registration CRD42017055909. Data sources: Six electronic databases and grey literature were systematically searched up to January, 2017. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) empirical studies reporting data on driving simulation, on-the-road driving tasks or driving outcomes; (2) people with chronic pain or chronic breathlessness; and (3) taking regular therapeutic opioid agonists. Critical appraisal used the National Institutes of Health’s quality assessment tools. Results: From 3809 records screened, three studies matched the inclusion criteria. All reported data on people with chronic non-malignant pain. No significant impact of regular therapeutic opioid agonists on people’s driving-related psychomotor skills was reported. One study reported more intense pain significantly worsened driving performance. Conclusion: This systematic review does not identify impaired simulated driving performance when people take regular therapeutic opioid agonists for symptom control, although more prospective studies are needed.

Download Full-text

Infection and mortality of healthcare workers worldwide from COVID-19: a systematic review

BMJ Global Health ◽

10.1136/bmjgh-2020-003097 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (12) ◽

pp. e003097

Author(s):

Soham Bandyopadhyay ◽

Ronnie E Baticulon ◽

Murtaza Kadhum ◽

Muath Alser ◽

Daniel K Ojuka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Healthcare Workers ◽

Eastern Mediterranean ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽

Assessment Tools ◽

Global Perspective ◽

Health Study ◽

Bibliographic Databases ◽

Specific Data

ObjectivesTo estimate COVID-19 infections and deaths in healthcare workers (HCWs) from a global perspective during the early phases of the pandemic.DesignSystematic review.MethodsTwo parallel searches of academic bibliographic databases and grey literature were undertaken until 8 May 2020. Governments were also contacted for further information where possible. There were no restrictions on language, information sources used, publication status and types of sources of evidence. The AACODS checklist or the National Institutes of Health study quality assessment tools were used to appraise each source of evidence.Outcome measuresPublication characteristics, country-specific data points, COVID-19-specific data, demographics of affected HCWs and public health measures employed.ResultsA total of 152 888 infections and 1413 deaths were reported. Infections were mainly in women (71.6%, n=14 058) and nurses (38.6%, n=10 706), but deaths were mainly in men (70.8%, n=550) and doctors (51.4%, n=525). Limited data suggested that general practitioners and mental health nurses were the highest risk specialities for deaths. There were 37.2 deaths reported per 100 infections for HCWs aged over 70 years. Europe had the highest absolute numbers of reported infections (119 628) and deaths (712), but the Eastern Mediterranean region had the highest number of reported deaths per 100 infections (5.7).ConclusionsCOVID-19 infections and deaths among HCWs follow that of the general population around the world. The reasons for gender and specialty differences require further exploration, as do the low rates reported in Africa and India. Although physicians working in certain specialities may be considered high risk due to exposure to oronasal secretions, the risk to other specialities must not be underestimated. Elderly HCWs may require assigning to less risky settings such as telemedicine or administrative positions. Our pragmatic approach provides general trends, and highlights the need for universal guidelines for testing and reporting of infections in HCWs.

Download Full-text

Short Tools to Assess Young Children's Dietary Intake: A Systematic Review Focusing on Application to Dietary Index Research

Journal of Obesity ◽

10.1155/2013/709626 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-17 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Lucinda K. Bell ◽

Rebecca K. Golley ◽

Anthea M. Magarey

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Young Children ◽

Dietary Assessment ◽

Dietary Guidelines ◽

Assessment Tools ◽

Attractive Alternative ◽

Assessment Instruments ◽

Infants And Toddlers ◽

Dietary Behaviours ◽

Dietary Indices

Dietary indices evaluate diet quality, usually based on current dietary guidelines. Indices can therefore contribute to our understanding of early-life obesity-risk dietary behaviours. Yet indices are commonly applied to dietary data collected by onerous methods (e.g., recalls or records). Short dietary assessment instruments are an attractive alternative to collect data from which to derive an index score. A systematic review of studies published before April 2013 was conducted to identify short (≤50 items) tools that measure whole-of-diet intake of young children (birth-five years) and are applicable to dietary indices, in particular screening obesogenic dietary behaviours. The search identified 3686 papers of which 16, reporting on 15 tools (n=7, infants and toddlers birth-24 months;n=8, preschoolers 2–5 years), met the inclusion criteria. Most tools were food frequency questionnaires (n=14), with one innovative dietary questionnaire identified. Seven were tested for validity or reliability, and one was tested for both. Six tools (n=2, infants and toddlers;n=4, preschoolers) are applicable for use with current dietary indices, five of which screen obesogenic dietary behaviours. Given the limited number of brief, valid and reliable dietary assessment tools for young children to which an index can be applied, future short tool development is warranted, particularly for screening obesogenic dietary behaviours.

Download Full-text