Evaluation of the mediterranean diet cost in Extremadura: adherence and relationship with available income

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Rubini ◽  
C Vilaplana Prieto ◽  
L Yeguas Rosa ◽  
M Flor-Alemany ◽  
J Felix Garcia ◽  
...  

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Carlos III Health Institute - Spain Background Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in developed countries. In this context, the Mediterranean diet (MD) is widely recognized as cardioprotective, although its implementation cost has been little studied and rarely employed as an argument for debate. Although previous Spanish studies have corroborated a higher monetary cost associated with increased adherence to the MD, there exist large disparities among studies, and none of them has related the cost of MD to available income, which is highly relevant for assessing the degree of affordability by families. Purpose The aim of this study is twofold. First, to estimate the cost and degree of adherence of the MD in a population of Extremadura. Second, to provide evidence on the cost of the MD in relation to available incomes. Methods A population study including 2.833 subjects between 25 and 79 years old (54% women), randomly selected from Don Benito-Villanueva de la Serena (Badajoz, Spain). Diet questionnaire contained 175 food items and 7 items related to alcoholic beverages. Consumption frequencies were translated in terms of grams or millilitres. Price for each item was obtained using price supermarket comparators from the same geographical area. Total monthly cost was obtained using monthly quantities consumed and the price of each category.  Final cost was related to Panagiotakos adherence degree and to available income. Data of available income was obtained from the Income Tax Statistics by municipality. Results Median monthly cost was EUR 203.63 (IQR 154.04-265.37): 216.91 for men and 191.22 for women. Median monthly cost per age cohort showed an inverted U-shape, with a maximum in the 45-54 years-old cohort (EUR 212.1; IQR 155.47-274.63) and a minimum for the 75-79 years-old cohort (EUR 179; IQR 130.21-224.99). Median monthly cost was very similar for primary, secondary and higher educational levels (208.18, 206.57 and 205.70, respectively), but 14% lower for those without primary studies. MD cost was lower in rural compared with urban areas (188 versus 223 euros, respectively) The percentage of population showing a high MD adherence was 59% whereas the percentage with a low adherence was 12%. The cost associated with a high MD adherence was EUR 228.38. The average cost represents 14% of the available income, ranging from 10.5% for the group with low MD adherence, to 15.72% for the group with a high adherence. Conclusions Higher adherence to the MD can reach almost 20% of the available income. This can lead to low-income families opting for cheaper, energy-dense, and consequently, less healthy dietary patterns. Emphasis should be placed on education strategies to recreate the MD at an affordable price or to introduce changes to consumer taxes (VAT) that favor DM pattern.

2022 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessia Rubini ◽  
Cristina Vilaplana-Prieto ◽  
Marta Flor-Alemany ◽  
Lorena Yeguas-Rosa ◽  
Miriam Hernández-González ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The Mediterranean Diet (MD) is recognized as heart-healthy, but the economic cost associated with this type of diet has scarcely been studied. The objective of the present study is to explore the cost and adherence of a low-income region population to the MD and its relationship with income. Methods A population-based study was carried out on 2,833 subjects between 25 and 79 years of age, 54% women, selected at random from the municipalities of Vegas Altas, La Siberia and La Serena in the province of Badajoz, Extremadura (Spain). Average monthly cost of each product included in the MD was computed and related to adherence to the MD using the Panagiotakos Index and average disposable income. Results The monthly median cost was 203.6€ (IQR: 154.04-265.37). Food-related expenditure was higher for men (p<0.001), age cohort between 45 and 54 years (p<0.013) and those living in urban areas (p<0.001). A positive correlation between food-related expenditure and the MD adherence was found. Monthly median cost represents 15% of average disposable income, ranging between 11% for the group with low MD adherence and 17% for the group with high MD adherence. Conclusions The monthly cost of the MD was positively correlated with the degree of adherence to this dietary pattern. Given that the estimated monthly cost is similar to that of other Spanish regions with a higher income level, the economic effort required to be able to afford the Mediterranean diet is higher. This may represent a barrier to access, which should be analyzed in detail by public decision-makers.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessia Rubini ◽  
Cristina Vilaplana Prieto ◽  
Marta Flor-Alemany ◽  
Lorena Yeguas-Rosa ◽  
Miriam Hernández-González ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundThe Mediterranean Diet (MD) is recognized as heart-healthy, but the economic cost associated with this type of diet has scarcely been studied.AimThe objective of the present study was to explore the cost and adherence of the low-income region population to the MD and its relationship with available incomes.MethodsA population-based study was carried out on 2,833 subjects between 25 and 79 years of age, 54% women, selected at random from the communities of Vegas Altas, La Siberia and La Serena in the province of Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain. The average cost of each product included in the MD and monthly expenditure were calculated. The expenditure was related to the degree of adherence to the MD (the Panagiotakos Index) and to the incomes of the participants.ResultsThe monthly median cost was 203.6 euros (IQR 154.04-265.37). Food-related expenditure was higher among the male population (p<0.001) of between 45 and 54 years of age (p<0.013) and living in urban areas (p<0.001). A positive correlation between food-related expenditure and the MD adherence was found. Expenditure represents 15% of total incomes, ranging from 11% for the group with a low MD adherence to 17% for the group with a high MD adherence.Conclusions The monthly cost of the MD was positively correlated with the degree of adherence to this dietary pattern, and is similar to that of other regions of Spain with higher per capita income, which entails a greater expenditure for equal adherence to the MD.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Ricardo Alves ◽  
Carla Lopes ◽  
Sara Rodrigues ◽  
Julian Perelman

Abstract Background: Adherence to the Mediterranean diet has been decreasing in southern Europe, which could be linked to several cultural or educational factors. Our aim is to evaluate the extent to which economic aspects may also play a role, exploring the relationship between food prices in Portugal and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Methods: We evaluated data from the Portuguese National Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Survey (IAN-AF 2015-2016) (n=3,591). Diet expenditures were estimated by attributing a retail price to each food group and the diet was transposed into the Mediterranean Diet Score used in the literature. Prices were gathered from five supermarket chains (65% of the Portuguese market share). Linear regression models were used to assess the association between different adherence levels to the MD levels and dietary costs. Results: Greater adherence to the MD was associated with a 21.2% (p< 0.05) rise in total dietary cost, which accounts for more 0.59€ in mean daily costs when compared with low adherence. High adherence individuals (vs. low adherence) had higher absolute mean daily costs with fish (0.62€/+285.8%; p< 0.05), fruits (0.26€/+115.8%; p< 0.05), and vegetables (0.10€/+100.9%; p< 0.05). The analysis stratified by education and income level showed significantly higher mean daily diet cost only amongst higher income groups. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that greater adherence to the MD was positively and significantly associated with higher total dietary cost. Policies to improve population’s diet should take into consideration the cost of healthy foods, especially for large low- and middle-income families.


Author(s):  
Mali Kalpana Ramanna ◽  
Ruckmani A. ◽  
Siddharam S. Janti ◽  
Madhavi Eerike ◽  
R. Lakshmipathy Prabu

Objective: To estimate a) monthly expenditure for treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN) and both (DM+HTN) and b) economic burden (EB) and psychological burden (PB) of therapy of DM, HTN and DM+HTN.Methods: An observational questionnaire-based study was conducted among 180 patients. The monthly cost of drug therapy was assessed based on the drugs they were taking and the cost of individual drugs. The EB and PB were assessed using a validated questionnaire and data analysed by ANOVA followed by post hoc test.Results: Among 216 patients who were interviewed, 180 fulfilled the selection criteria. Among 180, 75 had DM, 40 HTN and 65 had both. Prevalence of DM and DM+HTN was higher among females and of HTN equal among males and females. The average total monthly cost of therapy for DM was INR 2077, for HTN INR 1464 and for DM+HTN INR 2269.Significant correlation was found between income and percentage of expenditure (p<0.001) in all the groups. The PB was found to correlate with low income (p<0.001), poor education (p<0.05) occupation (p<0.01) in DM+HTN and number of tablets (p<0.01) in DM and DM+HTN groups.Conclusion: The cost of therapy was higher for DM+HTN and DM. The percentage of expenditure was higher in low-income group and burden of therapy was directly proportional to the number of tablets, poor educational and occupational status; and inversely proportional to income.


2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
F Scazzina

Abstract More than five years since the global commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, 690 million people lack sufficient food and economic projections suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic may add an additional 83 to 132 million people to the ranks of the undernourished. Meanwhile, 1.3 billion tons of food are wasted globally each year, utilizing 38% of total energy consumption in the global food system. Child and adult overweight and obesity are increasing in almost all countries, and on a global level the cost of a healthy diet is 60% higher than the cost of a nutrient adequate diet, and almost 5 times the cost of an energy sufficient diet. The Mediterranean Diet is one of the recognized models of healthy and sustainable diets. This model has proven to promote longevity and well-being, not only by considering specific food items and dietary patterns, but also taking into account the culture and the history of populations living in that region, as well as social aspects such as tradition and conviviality. Moreover, it is strongly tied to a gastronomic background that links health with enjoyment. This may be extremely important for the implementation of feasible programs for the prevention of chronic non communicable diseases. In fact, long lasting lifestyle changes are difficult to achieve and, although health motivations may lead to satisfactory dietary compliance in the short term, pleasure remains an important determinant of any dietary change that is intended to last. While keeping traditional dietary habits at European level, the main principles of the Mediterranean diet could be taken into account to identify key features that ensure both health benefits and sustainable impact on environment. Assessing the sustainability of these products can be an effective operational approach for preserving and promoting a Mediterranean-type dietary pattern in the European region.


Author(s):  
Som Prasad Khatiwada

Many more prehistoric locations and material remains of man’s past are identified from different part of the world from the scholars of developed countries. In the one hand great amount of facilities and resources provided by their governments and related institutions, scholars of developed countries are working continuously in the field of archaeology and prehistory. Besides this the developing countries are struggling for physical development of the country with low amount of resources and they are incapable to allocate national budget for such studies and the scholars and researchers are badly suffered with low income level and high price for livelihood resulting low level of research capabilities. In this context research work on archaeology and prehistory is far away for them and many more prehistoric sites are still hidden under the geological strata of developing countries. There is a great danger of manipulation in data, possibility of forgery like Piltdown forgery and possible damage of megalithic graves for finding antiquities by tomb hunters. Damage of prehistoric sites, tombs and shelters is a great loss for human being not only for related countries, but for the people of the whole world. Therefore, need of collaborative research among the scholars of developed and underdeveloped countries is must for the development of anthropology in global context. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/researcher.v1i1.8375   Researcher: A Research Journal of Culture and Society Vol.1(1) 2013


Author(s):  
Anthony S. Walker ◽  
Shraddha Sangelkar

People with visual disability need assistance in reading and writing by converting text to braille. Braille allows tactile display of the information for the visually impaired. Refreshable braille displays are commonly available in developed countries for a high price with the number of cells the display contains being the most influential factor on that price. Low-income blind individuals from developing countries cannot afford an expensive refreshable braille display, which in turn limits their access to digital information. The purpose to this paper is to explore design options for reducing the cost of refreshable braille displays. The paper begins with a summary of currently available refreshable braille displays on the market and their features. Next, the design requirements are explored for developing a low-cost device for visually impaired users in the developing countries. The paper also explains the state-of-the-art technologies for actuating the braille dots that may reduce the cost of the device. Finally, the recommendations for reducing the cost of these displays are presented.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 104
Author(s):  
Hajar Annisa Abdurahman ◽  
Iwan Rudiarto

Human settlements supply has always been a problem in urban areas, particularly for the low-earners. There are few aspects to do in house procurement, such as location that will determine the cost of housing. Hence, this research aims to determine potential location to be developed as affordable housing for low-income people in Semarang. This research applied spatial analysis method based on Geographic Information System (GIS). The analysis results that only around 5,85% of allocated human settlement area in Semarang City is potential to be developed as affordable housing. In this study, the result show that in terms of location for affordable housing development, accessibility factor can determine the location with considering the particular planning standards.


Author(s):  
Elío Iñaki ◽  
Jarrín Sandra ◽  
Eléxpuru María ◽  
Crespo Jorge ◽  
Domínguez Irma ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: In Spain, there are several studies published on the relationship between eating habits and lifestyle among university students; but only a few of them are focused on online postgraduate students. OBJECTIVE: Herein we aimed to evaluate the degree of adherence to the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid (2010 edition), non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and lifestyle in online postgraduate students aged 20–65 years belonging to the food area of the Fundación Universitaria Iberoamericana (FUNIBER). METHODS: We performed a descriptive cross-sectional study including 100 online post-graduate students aged 20–65 years who were recruited by an accidental non-probabilistic sampling method consisting of a questionnaire on their sociodemographic characteristics, NCDs, lifestyle, and a 3-day food intake record (3-d). RESULTS: The profile of the students was 74% women, with a mean age of 36.6 (±10.5) years and body mass index (BMI) of 22.6 kg / m2 (±3.3). 71% of the volunteers presented normal weight, while 20% were overweight. Indeed, only a low percentage of the volunteers presented hypertension (1%), cardiovascular disease (0%), diabetes mellitus 1 (2%), diabetes mellitus 2 (3%), hypercholesterolemia (9%), and hyperuricemia (2%). Concerning lifestyle, (77%) of students were non-smokers, (78%) consumed beverages with caffeine, (51%) did not consume alcoholic beverages, and nearly all of them (84%) frequently (3 times /week) practiced physical activity. (68%) of the recruited students exhibited adherence to “Medium diet quality diet (4–7)” followed by (26%) with a “Poor diet quality (<3) and “Optimal diet quality” (6%). CONCLUSION: Spanish postgraduate students of the nutritional area, have good health and a healthy lifestyle but are moving away from the MD model, should be established campaigns for the improvement of eating habits of the postgraduate university population.


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