scholarly journals Economic evaluation of a web-based menu planning intervention to improve childcare service adherence with dietary guidelines.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Penny Reeves ◽  
Kim Edmunds ◽  
Zoe Szewczyk ◽  
Alice Grady ◽  
Sze Lin Yoong ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundDespite the known benefits of healthy eating in childhood, few Australian childcare services provide food that is consistent with dietary guidelines. The effectiveness of a web-based menu planning intervention to increase childcare service provision of healthy foods and decrease provision of discretionary foods in long day-care services in Australia was assessed in a randomised controlled trial. Here we consider the costs, consequences, cost-effectiveness and budget impact of the intervention using data collected within the trial. MethodsThe prospective trial-based economic evaluation involved 54 childcare services across New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Services were randomised to a 12-month intervention or usual care. The intervention involved access to a web-based menu planning and decision support tool, and online resources. Effectiveness measures included: mean number of food groups, overall menu and individual food group compliance with dietary guidelines, and mean servings of food groups at 12 months. Costs (reported in $AUD, 2017/18) were evaluated from both health sector and societal perspectives. The direct cost to support uptake of the intervention was calculated, as were costs to each childcare service. The incremental cost of the intervention was calculated as the net difference in the cost to undertake menu planning and review plus the direct cost of the intervention. Incremental cost–effectiveness ratios (ICERs) including uncertainty intervals, were estimated for differences in costs and effects between intervention and control groups. A relative value index was calculated to determine overall value for money.ResultsOver the 12 months of the trial, we calculated a difference in cost between usual practice and intervention groups of -$482 (95% UI -$859, -$56). While the measured increase in menu and food group compliance within the trial did not reach statistical significance, there were significant improvements in mean servings of fruit and discretionary food, represented in the cost-consequence analysis. The calculated relative value index of 1.1 suggests that the intervention returns acceptable value for money for the outcomes generated.ConclusionCompared to usual practice, web-based programs may offer an efficient and sustainable alternative for childcare services to improve the provision of healthy foods to children in their care. Trial RegistrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12616000974404

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Penny Reeves ◽  
Kim Edmunds ◽  
Zoe Szewczyk ◽  
Alice Grady ◽  
Sze Lin Yoong ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Despite the known benefits of healthy eating in childhood, few Australian childcare services provide food that is consistent with dietary guidelines. The effectiveness of a web-based menu planning intervention to increase childcare service provision of healthy foods, and decrease provision of discretionary foods in long daycare centres in Australia was assessed in a randomised controlled trial. Here we consider the costs, consequences, cost-effectiveness and budget impact of the intervention using data collected within the trial. Methods The prospective trial-based economic evaluation involved 54 childcare services across New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Services were randomised to a 12-month intervention or usual care. The intervention involved access to a web-based menu planning and decision support tool, and online resources. Effectiveness measures included: mean number of food groups, overall menu and individual food group compliance with dietary guidelines, and mean servings of food groups at 12 months. Costs (reported in $AUD, 2017/18) were evaluated from both health sector and societal perspectives. The direct cost to support uptake of the intervention was calculated, as were costs to each childcare centres. The incremental cost of the intervention was calculated as the net difference in the cost to undertake menu planning and review plus the direct cost of the intervention. Incremental cost–effectiveness ratios (ICERs) including uncertainty intervals, were estimated for differences in costs and effects between intervention and control groups. A relative value index was calculated to determine overall value for money. Results Over the 12 months of the trial, we calculated a difference in cost between usual practice and intervention groups of -$482 (95% UI -$859, -$56). While the measured increase in menu and food group compliance within the trial did not reach statistical significance, there were significant improvements in mean servings of fruit and discretionary food, represented in the cost-consequence analysis. The calculated relative value index of 1.1 suggests that the intervention returns acceptable value for money for the outcomes generated. Conclusion Compared to usual practice, web-based programs may offer an efficient and sustainable alternative for childcare centres to improve the provision of healthy foods to children in their care. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12616000974404


2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Penny Reeves ◽  
Kim Edmunds ◽  
Zoe Szewczyk ◽  
Alice Grady ◽  
Sze Lin Yoong ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Despite the known benefits of healthy eating in childhood, few Australian childcare services provide food that is consistent with dietary guidelines. The effectiveness of a web-based menu planning intervention to increase childcare service provision of healthy foods and decrease provision of discretionary foods in long day-care services in Australia was assessed in a randomised controlled trial. Here we consider the costs, consequences, cost-effectiveness and budget impact of the intervention using data collected within the trial. Methods The prospective trial-based economic evaluation involved 54 childcare services across New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Services were randomised to a 12-month intervention or usual care. The intervention involved access to a web-based menu planning and decision support tool and online resources. Effectiveness measures included mean number of food groups, overall menu and individual food group compliance with dietary guidelines, and mean servings of food groups at 12 months. Costs (reported in $AUD, 2017/18) were evaluated from both health sector and societal perspectives. The direct cost to support uptake of the intervention was calculated, as were costs to each childcare service. The incremental cost of the intervention was calculated as the net difference in the cost to undertake menu planning and review plus the direct cost of the intervention. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) including uncertainty intervals were estimated for differences in costs and effects between intervention and control groups. A relative value index was calculated to determine overall value for money. Results Over the 12 months of the trial, we calculated a difference in cost between usual practice and intervention groups of − $482 (95% UI − $859, − $56). While the measured increase in menu and food group compliance within the trial did not reach statistical significance, there were significant improvements in mean servings of fruit and discretionary food, represented in the cost-consequence analysis. The calculated relative value index of 1.1 suggests that the intervention returns acceptable value for money for the outcomes generated. Conclusion Compared to usual practice, web-based programmes may offer an efficient and sustainable alternative for childcare services to improve the provision of healthy foods to children in their care. Trial registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12616000974404


BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. e017498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sze Lin Yoong ◽  
Alice Grady ◽  
John Wiggers ◽  
Victoria Flood ◽  
Chris Rissel ◽  
...  

IntroductionThe implementation of dietary guidelines in childcare settings is recommended to improve child public health nutrition. However, foods provided in childcare services are not consistent with guidelines. The primary aim of the trial is to assess the effectiveness of a web-based menu planning intervention in increasing the mean number of food groups on childcare service menus that comply with dietary guidelines regarding food provision to children in care.Methods and analysisA parallel group randomised controlled trial will be undertaken with 54 childcare services that provide food to children within New South Wales, Australia. Services will be randomised to a 12-month intervention or usual care. The experimental group will receive access to a web-based menu planning and decision support tool and online resources. To support uptake of the web program, services will be provided with training and follow-up support. The primary outcome will be the number of food groups, out of 6 (vegetables, fruit, breads and cereals, meat, dairy and ‘discretionary’), on the menu that meet dietary guidelines (Caring for Children) across a 1-week menu at 12-month follow-up, assessed via menu review by dietitians or nutritionists blinded to group allocation. A nested evaluation of child dietary intake in care and child body mass index will be undertaken in up to 35 randomly selected childcare services and up to 420 children aged approximately 3–6 years.Ethics and disseminationEthical approval has been provided by Hunter New England and University of Newcastle Human Research Ethics Committees. This research will provide high-quality evidence regarding the impact of a web-based menu planning intervention in facilitating the translation of dietary guidelines into childcare services. Trial findings will be disseminated widely through national and international peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.Trial registrationProspectively registered with Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12616000974404.


10.2196/13401 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. e13401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Grady ◽  
Luke Wolfenden ◽  
John Wiggers ◽  
Chris Rissel ◽  
Meghan Finch ◽  
...  

Background Foods provided in childcare services are not consistent with dietary guideline recommendations. Web-based systems offer unique opportunities to support the implementation of such guidelines. Objective This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a Web-based menu planning intervention in increasing the mean number of food groups on childcare service menus that comply with dietary guidelines. Secondary aims were to assess the impact of the intervention on the proportion of service menus compliant with recommendations for (1) all food groups; (2) individual food groups; and (3) mean servings of individual food groups. Childcare service use and acceptability of the Web-based program were also assessed. Methods A single-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial was undertaken with 54 childcare services in New South Wales, Australia. Services were randomized to a 12-month intervention or usual care control. Intervention services received access to a Web-based menu planning program linked to their usual childcare management software system. Childcare service compliance with dietary guidelines and servings of food groups were assessed at baseline, 3-month follow-up, and 12-month follow-up. Results No significant differences in the mean number of food groups compliant with dietary guidelines and the proportion of service menus compliant with recommendations for all food groups, or for individual food groups, were found at 3- or 12-month follow-up between the intervention and control groups. Intervention service menus provided significantly more servings of fruit (P<.001), vegetables (P=.03), dairy (P=.03), and meat (P=.003), and reduced their servings of discretionary foods (P=.02) compared with control group at 3 months. This difference was maintained for fruit (P=.03) and discretionary foods (P=.003) at 12 months. Intervention childcare service staff logged into the Web-based program an average of 40.4 (SD 31.8) times and rated the program as highly acceptable. Conclusions Although improvements in childcare service overall menu and individual food group compliance with dietary guidelines were not statistically significant, findings indicate that a Web-based menu planning intervention can improve the servings for some healthy food groups and reduce the provision of discretionary foods. Future research exploring the effectiveness of differing strategies in improving the implementation of dietary guidelines in childcare services is warranted. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ANZCTR): 16000974404; http://www.anzctr.org.au/ACTRN12616000974404.aspx


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 579-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuella Gomes Maia ◽  
Camila Mendes dos Passos ◽  
Renata Bertazzi Levy ◽  
Ana Paula Bortoletto Martins ◽  
Laís Amaral Mais ◽  
...  

AbstractObjective:To measure change in price of food groups over time (1995–2030) in Brazil, considering the Brazilian Dietary Guidelines’ recommendations.Design:Data from the Household Budget Survey (2008–2009 HBS) and the National System of Consumer Price Indexes (NSCPI) were used to create a data set containing monthly prices for the foods and beverages most consumed in the country (n 102), from January 1995 to December 2017. Data on price of foods and beverages from 2008–2009 HBS (referring to January 2009) were used to calculate real price over time using the monthly variation in prices from NSCPI. All prices were deflated to December 2017. Foods and beverages were classified following the Brazilian Dietary Guidelines’ recommendations. The monthly price for each food group and subgroup was used to analyse changes in prices from 1995 to 2017 and to forecast prices up to 2030 using fractional polynomial models.Setting:Brazil.Participants:National estimates of foods and beverages purchased for Brazil.Results:In 1995, ultra-processed foods were the most expensive group (R$ 6·51/kg), followed by processed foods (R$ 6·44/kg), then unprocessed or minimally processed foods and culinary ingredients (R$ 3·45/kg). Since the early 2000s, the price of ultra-processed foods underwent successive reductions, becoming cheaper than processed foods and reducing the distance between it and the price of the other group. Forecasts indicate that unhealthy foods will become cheaper than healthy foods in 2026.Conclusions:Food prices in Brazil have changed unfavourably considering the Brazilian Dietary Guidelines’ recommendations. This may imply a decrease in the quality of the population’s diet.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Meron Lewis ◽  
Sarah A. McNaughton ◽  
Lucie Rychetnik ◽  
Amanda J. Lee

Abstract Background Low socioeconomic groups (SEGs) in Australia are less likely to consume diets consistent with the Australian Dietary Guidelines (ADGs) and suffer poorer health than the broader population. The unaffordability, or perceived high cost, of healthy diets may be a factor. Detailed data on the cost of habitually consumed diets is required in order to inform strategies to alleviate socioeconomic impacts on dietary intake. This systematic scoping review aims to identify the cost of the habitual dietary intake of low SEGs in Australia, in terms of the whole diet and its composite foods, in comparison to the cost in higher SEGs. Methods A systematic search of peer-reviewed literature since 2000 and key government and non-government organisation (NGO) websites was undertaken. Data were extracted, synthesised and analysed in relation to study populations, dietary cost assessment measures, socioeconomic measures, and dietary cost and affordability. Results The review identified four studies meeting inclusion criteria. Results confirmed that overall, low SEGs spend a lower amount, yet a higher proportion of household income, on food and drinks than higher SEGs. Quantitative comparison of the dietary costs between included studies was not possible due to difference in populations and study metrics. Costs of the habitual diet in these studies were not reported for ADG food groups, so did not allow for assessment of the healthfulness of the dietary intake or comparison with costs of recommended diets at food group level. Conclusions Existing research does not provide sufficiently granular data of the costs of habitual diets of low SEGs in comparison to higher SEGs or data in a form that can inform strategies and interventions to improve dietary intake and diet-related health of low SEGs in Australia. Future empirical health research requires more granular measures of habitual spending on ADG food groups across SEGs.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1067
Author(s):  
Marjo J. E. Campmans-Kuijpers ◽  
Gerard Dijkstra

Diet plays a pivotal role in the onset and course of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Patients are keen to know what to eat to reduce symptoms and flares, but dietary guidelines are lacking. To advice patients, an overview of the current evidence on food (group) level is needed. This narrative review studies the effects of food (groups) on the onset and course of IBD and if not available the effects in healthy subjects or animal and in vitro IBD models. Based on this evidence the Groningen anti-inflammatory diet (GrAID) was designed and compared on food (group) level to other existing IBD diets. Although on several foods conflicting results were found, this review provides patients a good overview. Based on this evidence, the GrAID consists of lean meat, eggs, fish, plain dairy (such as milk, yoghurt, kefir and hard cheeses), fruit, vegetables, legumes, wheat, coffee, tea and honey. Red meat, other dairy products and sugar should be limited. Canned and processed foods, alcohol and sweetened beverages should be avoided. This comprehensive review focuses on anti-inflammatory properties of foods providing IBD patients with the best evidence on which foods they should eat or avoid to reduce flares. This was used to design the GrAID.


2014 ◽  
Vol 112 (4) ◽  
pp. 627-637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucinda K. Bell ◽  
Rebecca K. Golley ◽  
Anthea M. Magarey

Identifying toddlers at dietary risk is crucial for determining who requires intervention to improve dietary patterns and reduce health consequences. The objectives of the present study were to develop a simple tool that assesses toddlers' dietary risk and investigate its reliability and validity. The nineteen-item Toddler Dietary Questionnaire (TDQ) is informed by dietary patterns observed in Australian children aged 14 (n552) and 24 (n493) months and the Australian dietary guidelines. It assesses the intake of ‘core’ food groups (e.g. fruit, vegetables and dairy products) and ‘non-core’ food groups (e.g. high-fat, high-sugar and/or high-salt foods and sweetened beverages) over the previous 7 d, which is then scored against a dietary risk criterion (0–100; higher score = higher risk). Parents of toddlers aged 12–36 months (Socio-Economic Index for Areas decile range 5–9) were asked to complete the TDQ for their child (n111) on two occasions, 3·2 (sd1·8) weeks apart, to assess test–retest reliability. They were also asked to complete a validated FFQ from which the risk score was calculated and compared with the TDQ-derived risk score (relative validity). Mean scores were highly correlated and not significantly different for reliability (intra-class correlation = 0·90, TDQ1 30·2 (sd8·6)v. TDQ2 30·9 (sd8·9);P= 0·14) and validity (r0·83, average TDQ ((TDQ1+TDQ2)/2) 30·5 (sd8·4)v. FFQ 31·4 (sd8·1);P= 0·05). All the participants were classified into the same (reliability 75 %; validity 79 %) or adjacent (reliability 25 %; validity 21 %) risk category (low (0–24), moderate (25–49), high (50–74) and very high (75–100)). Overall, the TDQ is a valid and reliable screening tool for identifying at-risk toddlers in relatively advantaged samples.


2004 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle A Mendez ◽  
Suzanne Wynter ◽  
Rainford Wilks ◽  
Terrence Forrester

AbstractObjective:Research in industrialised countries has documented a high prevalence of underreported energy intakes associated with characteristics such as obesity. This paper examines the prevalence, patterns and impact of energy under- and overreporting on diet–obesity relationships in a middle-income developing country.Design:A 70-item food-frequency questionnaire was used. Underreporters had reported energy intakes < 1.35 × basal metabolic rate (BMR), overreporters > 2.4 × BMR. Multinomial models were used to identify characteristics associated with implausible reporting. Intakes were compared across reporting groups to assess evidence of bias. Associations between diet and obesity were compared with and without adjustment for implausible reporting.Setting:Spanish Town, neighbouring the capital city of Kingston, Jamaica.Subjects:Eight hundred and ninety-one Jamaican adults, aged 25–75 years, were randomly recruited.Results:More women than men (38.6% vs. 22.5%) underreported, but more men overreported energy (23.7% vs. 16.0%). Underreporting was positively associated with obesity, special diets, smoking and age; age was inversely associated with overreporting. Underreporters estimated lower energy from potentially socially undesirable food groups (e.g. snacks) and higher intakes of ‘healthy’ foods (e.g. fruit) than did plausible reporters. For some of these food groups, significant differences in intakes among normal-weight versus obese subjects observed among plausible reporters were absent when implausible reporters were included. In models of food group–obesity associations, adjusting for implausible energy yielded more credible results that more closely resembled findings in plausible reporters.Conclusions:Energy under- and overreporting are highly prevalent in Jamaica. Adjusting for implausible reporting may help to reduce bias in diet–health outcome associations.


2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie M. Hess ◽  
Christopher J. Cifelli ◽  
Sanjiv Agarwal ◽  
Victor L. Fulgoni

Abstract Background One reason that some Americans do not meet nutrient needs from healthy eating patterns is cost. Food cost affects how people eat, and healthy diets tend to be more expensive. Cost is also important for diet sustainability. Sustainable eating patterns must be both nutritionally adequate and affordable. The objective of this study was to compare the cost of obtaining shortfall nutrients from different food groups to help identify cost-effective ways Americans can move towards healthy and sustainable eating patterns. Methods This analysis used dietary intake data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2011 to 2012 and 2013–2014 (n = 5876 children 2–18 years and n = 9953 adults 19–99 years). Americans’ nutrient intake from food categories in “What We Eat in America” and the 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans was determined using the Food and Nutrient Database for Dietary Studies. Food cost and the cost of nutrients were obtained from Center for Nutrition Promotion and Policy food cost database 2001–2002 and 2003–2004 (adjusted for inflation). Results The daily mean cost of food was $4.74 ± 0.06 for children and $6.43 ± 0.06 for adults. “Protein foods” and “mixed dishes” were the two most expensive food categories (43–45% of daily food costs), while “grains,” “fruits,” and “vegetables” combined accounted for ~ 18% of the daily cost, and “milk and dairy” accounted for 6–12% of total daily food costs in both adults and children. “Milk and dairy” were the least expensive dietary sources of calcium and vitamin D in the American diet, while “grains” were the least expensive sources of iron and magnesium, and “protein foods” were the least expensive sources of choline. “Fruits” and “vegetables” were the least expensive sources of potassium and vitamin C, respectively, and “snacks and sweets” were the least expensive sources of vitamin E. Conclusion “Milk and dairy” were inexpensive sources of three of the four nutrients of public health concern (calcium, vitamin D, and potassium), while “grains” were the least expensive source of fiber. The results of this work reinforce the importance of consuming a variety of nutrient-rich foods for cost-effective, sustainable eating patterns.


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