Association between diet quality and food waste in Canadian families: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Background: Higher diet quality has been associated with greater amounts of food waste among adults in the United States. This study aims to build on previous work by examining the association between diet quality and food waste, as assessed using detailed waste audits, among a sample of Canadian families.Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from 85 Canadian families with young children. Parent and children diet quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015), calculated from 3-day food records. Household food waste was measured using detailed waste audits conducted over multiple weeks and these data were used to calculate daily per capita food waste. Linear regression was used to explore the association between parent and child HEI-2015 scores and daily per capita total avoidable and unavoidable food waste, as well as daily per capita avoidable and unavoidable food waste in the following categories: 1) fruits and vegetables, 2) milk, cheese and eggs, 3) meat and fish, 4) breads and cereals, 5) fats and sugars.Results: Parent HEI-2015 scores ranged from 37 to 92 (out of 100) and 81% of parents’ diets scored in the “Needs Improvement (50-80)” category. Parent and child diet quality scores were significantly correlated (r=0.61; P<0.0001) and 82% of children’s diets scored in the “Needs Improvement” category. On average, households produced 107 grams of avoidable food waste and 52 grams of unavoidable food waste per person per day. Fruits and vegetables were the highest contributor for both avoidable and unavoidable food waste. Both parent and child HEI-2015 scores were not significantly associated with total daily per capita avoidable or unavoidable food waste. However, parent HEI-2015 scores were positively associated with daily per capita avoidable fruit and vegetable waste (β= 1.05; 95%CI: 0.11, 1.99; P= 0.03) and daily per capita unavoidable fruit and vegetable waste (β= 0.60; 95%CI: 0.03, 1.17; P= 0.04), after adjusting for household income.Conclusion: This is the first study to explore the association between diet quality and food waste using detailed waste audits. Future research should explore effective strategies towards improving diet quality while simultaneously reducing food waste, especially of fruits and vegetables.

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Association between diet quality and food waste in Canadian families: a cross-sectional study

10.21203/rs.2.23671/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Nicholas Carroll ◽

Angela Wallace ◽

Kira Jewell ◽

Gerarda Darlington ◽

David W.L. Ma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Waste ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Healthy Eating Index ◽

Vegetable Waste ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Per Capita

Abstract Background: Higher diet quality has been associated with greater amounts of food waste among adults in the United States. This study aims to build on previous work by examining the association between diet quality and food waste, as assessed using detailed waste audits, among a sample of Canadian families.Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from 85 Canadian families with young children. Parent and children diet quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015), calculated from 3-day food records. Household food waste was measured using detailed waste audits conducted over multiple weeks and these data were used to calculate daily per capita food waste. Linear regression was used to explore the association between parent and child HEI-2015 scores and daily per capita total avoidable and unavoidable food waste, as well as daily per capita avoidable and unavoidable food waste in the following categories: 1) fruits and vegetables, 2) milk, cheese and eggs, 3) meat and fish, 4) breads and cereals, 5) fats and sugars.Results: Parent HEI-2015 scores ranged from 37 to 92 (out of 100) and 81% of parents’ diets scored in the “Needs Improvement (51-80)” category. Parent and child diet quality scores were significantly correlated (r=0.61; P<0.0001) and 82% of children’s diets scored in the “Needs Improvement” category. On average, households produced 107 grams of avoidable food waste and 52 grams of unavoidable food waste per person per day. Fruits and vegetables were the highest contributor for both avoidable and unavoidable food waste. Both parent and child HEI-2015 scores were not significantly associated with total daily per capita avoidable or unavoidable food waste. However, parent HEI-2015 scores were positively associated with daily per capita avoidable fruit and vegetable waste (Unstandardized β= 1.05; 95%CI: 0.11, 1.99; P= 0.03) and daily per capita unavoidable fruit and vegetable waste (Unstandardized β= 0.60; 95%CI: 0.03, 1.17; P= 0.04), after adjusting for household income. Conclusion: This is the first study to explore the association between diet quality and food waste using detailed waste audits. Future research should explore effective strategies towards improving diet quality while simultaneously reducing food waste, especially of fruits and vegetables.

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Association between diet quality and food waste in Canadian families: a cross-sectional study

10.21203/rs.2.23671/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Nicholas Carroll ◽

Angela Wallace ◽

Kira Jewell ◽

Gerarda Darlington ◽

David W.L. Ma ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Waste ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Healthy Eating Index ◽

Vegetable Waste ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Fruit And Vegetable ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Per Capita

Abstract Background : Higher diet quality has been associated with greater amounts of food waste among adults in the United States. This study aims to build on previous work by examining the association between diet quality and food waste, as assessed using detailed waste audits, among a sample of Canadian families. Methods : This cross-sectional study used data from 85 Canadian families with young children. Parent and children diet quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015), calculated from 3-day food records. Household food waste was measured using detailed waste audits conducted over multiple weeks and these data were used to calculate daily per capita food waste. Linear regression was used to explore the association between parent and child HEI-2015 scores and daily per capita total avoidable and unavoidable food waste, as well as daily per capita avoidable and unavoidable food waste in the following categories: 1) fruits and vegetables, 2) milk, cheese and eggs, 3) meat and fish, 4) breads and cereals, 5) fats and sugars. Results : Parent HEI-2015 scores ranged from 37 to 92 (out of 100) and 81% of parents’ diets scored in the “Needs Improvement (50-80)” category. Parent and child diet quality scores were significantly correlated (r=0.61; P< 0.0001) and 82% of children’s diets scored in the “Needs Improvement” category. On average, households produced 107 grams of avoidable food waste and 52 grams of unavoidable food waste per person per day. Fruits and vegetables were the highest contributor for both avoidable and unavoidable food waste. Both parent and child HEI-2015 scores were not significantly associated with total daily per capita avoidable or unavoidable food waste. However, parent HEI-2015 scores were positively associated with daily per capita avoidable fruit and vegetable waste (Unstandardized β= 1.05; 95%CI: 0.11, 1.99; P = 0.03) and daily per capita unavoidable fruit and vegetable waste (Unstandardized β= 0.60; 95%CI: 0.03, 1.17; P = 0.04), after adjusting for household income. Conclusion : This is the first study to explore the association between diet quality and food waste using detailed waste audits. Future research should explore effective strategies towards improving diet quality while simultaneously reducing food waste, especially of fruits and vegetables.

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Food Waste and Its Association with Diet Quality of Foods Purchased in South Florida

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13082535 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (8) ◽

pp. 2535

Author(s):

Vanessa Mijares ◽

Jair Alcivar ◽

Cristina Palacios

Keyword(s):

Food Waste ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

South Florida ◽

Analysis Of Covariance ◽

Grocery Stores ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Grocery Purchase

The objective of this study was to explore the associations between food waste and the diet quality of foods purchased and with grocery purchasing behaviors. This was a cross-sectional study among 109 primary household food providers conducting primary shopping. Participants were recruited outside of local grocery stores and were asked to complete a survey assessing amounts of avoidable food waste and grocery purchasing behaviors. The diet quality of the foods purchased was assessed from grocery receipts using the Grocery Purchase Quality Index-2016 (GPQI-2016). Variables were associated using linear regression, analysis of covariance, and point biserial correlations. We found that fresh fruits (63%) and leafy greens (70%) were the foods that were the most wasted. The GPQI-2016 total score was significantly inversely associated with the total amount of food wasted (β = −0.63; 95% CI: −1.14,−0.12) after adjusting for important confounders. The reason “food past the date printed on the package” was directly correlated with food wasted (r = 0.40; p < 0.01) but inversely correlated with GPQI-2016 score (r = −0.21; p = 0.04). Food wasted, but not the GPQI-2016 score, was significantly higher among those who grocery shop 2–4 times per week compared to 1 time every 1–2 weeks (p = 0.02). In conclusion, food waste is inversely associated with diet quality and directly associated with grocery purchasing frequency.

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Association Between Diet Quality and Food Waste in South Florida

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa042_008 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 143-143

Author(s):

Vanessa Mijares ◽

Jair Alcivar ◽

Cristina Palacios

Keyword(s):

Food Waste ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Inverse Correlation ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Healthy Eating Index ◽

Quality Score ◽

South Florida ◽

Grocery Stores ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Florida International University

Abstract Objectives In 2015, the USDA/EPA set a goal of reducing food waste in 50% by 2030. This goal will not only lower U.S. methane gas emissions but also redirect food to millions of food insecure Americans. Little is known on food waste and its association with diet quality. Therefore, our objective was to explore the associations between diet quality and food waste. Methods This was a cross sectional study among adults ³18 years in south Florida who are the primary household food provider conducting a primary shopping event for the week. Participants were recruited outside of local grocery stores and asked to fill out a quick food waste survey. Pictures of the participants’ grocery receipts were taken to analyze diet quality using the Grocery Purchase Quality Index 2016 (GPQI-2016). The GPQI-2016 is based on the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)– 2010 and has 11 different components (each with a maximum score of 5 or 10) for a total score of 75. Correlations were used to determine the associations between diet quality and amount of food waste (Pearson) or reasons for food waste (Point-biserial). Results A total of 109 participants were recruited but 103 had complete data. Mean age was 44.6 ± 13.6 years, most were females (74%) and Hispanics (79%). Most usually grocery shop in a main event and then go back for smaller items (44%) once (36%) or twice (28%) a week. Mean diet quality score was 40.9 ± 9.64 out of 75 points and mean amount of food waste was 17.7 ± 19.9 handfuls. Most reported throwing away food mainly because it went bad (90%) or it was past it's due date (80%). Handfuls of bread/rice waste were significantly inversely correlated with diet quality (r = −2.60; p = 0.013). Also, we found a significant inverse correlation between diet quality and food thrown away because it had gone past it's use by date (r = −.196; p = 0.049). Conclusions A lower diet quality score was related to higher amount of bread/rice wasted and with throwing away foods that has past it's use date. These results could justify directing reducing food waste efforts in the community by educating individuals on purchasing frozen products or on proper storage to prolong shelf life, as well as on understanding the different dates placed on products by manufacturers. Funding Sources Internal funds from Florida International University.

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Correction: Brazilian vegetarians diet quality markers and comparison with the general population: A nationwide cross-sectional study

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0235991 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (7) ◽

pp. e0235991

Author(s):

Shila Minari Hargreaves ◽

Wilma Maria Coelho Araújo ◽

Eduardo Yoshio Nakano ◽

Renata Puppin Zandonadi

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Diet Quality ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Quality Markers

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Association between diet quality and obesity indicators among the working-age adults in Inner Mongolia, Northern China: a cross-sectional study

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-020-09281-5 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lu Jia ◽

Haiwen Lu ◽

Jing Wu ◽

Xuemei Wang ◽

Wenrui Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diet Quality ◽

Inner Mongolia ◽

Northern China ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Working Age

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Dietary Factors in Relation to Liver Fat Content: A Cross-sectional Study

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12030825 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (3) ◽

pp. 825 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Cora Watzinger ◽

Tobias Nonnenmacher ◽

Mirja Grafetstätter ◽

Solomon A. Sowah ◽

Cornelia M. Ulrich ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Diet Quality ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Fat Content ◽

Dietary Factors ◽

Liver Fat ◽

Inverse Association ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Liver Fat Content ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Alcoholic Fatty Liver

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can lead to functional liver impairment and severe comorbidities. Beyond energy balance, several dietary factors may increase NAFLD risk, but human studies are lacking. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the associations between food consumption (47 food groups, derived Mediterranean and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet quality scores) and liver fat content (continuous scale and NAFLD, i.e., >5% liver fat content). Liver fat content was measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 136 individuals (BMI: 25–40 kg/m2, age: 35–65, 50.7% women) and food intake was recorded by food frequency questionnaires (FFQs). Associations between food items and liver fat were evaluated by multi-variable regression models. Intakes of cake and cookies as well legumes were inversely associated with liver fat content, while positive associations with intakes of high-fat dairy and cheese were observed. Only cake and cookie intake also showed an inverse association with NAFLD. This inverse association was unexpected, but not affected by adjustment for reporting bias. Both diet quality scores were inversely associated with liver fat content and NAFLD. Thus, as smaller previous intervention studies, our results suggest that higher diet quality is related to lower liver fat, but larger trials with iso-caloric interventions are needed to corroborate these findings.

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