Dietary Intake, Cost, and Affordability by Socioeconomic Group in Australia

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.

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Cost and Affordability of Healthy, Equitable and Sustainable Diets in Low Socioeconomic Groups in Australia

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13082900 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (8) ◽

pp. 2900

Author(s):

Meron Lewis ◽

Sarah A. McNaughton ◽

Lucie Rychetnik ◽

Amanda J. Lee

Keyword(s):

Dietary Guidelines ◽

Dietary Intakes ◽

Nutrition Survey ◽

Policy Action ◽

Low Socioeconomic ◽

Food Purchasing ◽

Socioeconomic Groups ◽

National Nutrition Survey ◽

Sustainable Diet ◽

Healthy Diets

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.

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An approach to the development of food-based dietary guidelines for Ireland

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114599000938 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 81 (S1) ◽

pp. S77-S82 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Mary A. T. Flynn ◽

John M. Kearney

Keyword(s):

Food Intake ◽

Dietary Fibre ◽

Dietary Guidelines ◽

Fruit And Vegetables ◽

Irish Population ◽

Nutrition Survey ◽

National Nutrition Survey ◽

The Mean ◽

Total Fat ◽

Recommended Level

The aim of the present study was to analyse the different food and nutrient intakes of the adult Irish population from the lowest and highest quartiles of intake for total fat (%energy) dietary fibre (g/MJ) and fruit and vegetables (g/day). Data on Irish adults (n = 715) from the Irish National Nutrition Survey conducted in 1989 were used for the analyses and showed that the average diet is low in dietary fibre, with fruit and vegetables being only half the recommended level of 400 g. Comparisons of people with low or high intakes (from lowest and highest quartiles) of total fat (%energy), dietary fibre (g/MJ) and fruit and vegetables (g/day) show patterns of food intake differing in both the percentage of consumers and in the mean intakes among consumers only. This analysis provides data which may be useful as a first step towards the development of food-based dietary guidelines for Ireland. In particular, the low intake of fruit and vegetables in the adult Irish population deserves special attention.

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Food sources of sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar in the Physical Activity and Nutrition for Diabetes in Alberta (PANDA) trial

Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1139/apnm-2017-0266 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 42 (12) ◽

pp. 1270-1276 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ghada Asaad ◽

Catherine B. Chan

Keyword(s):

Type 2 Diabetes ◽

Saturated Fat ◽

Dietary Guidelines ◽

Food Sources ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Diabetic Patients ◽

Processed Meat ◽

Added Sugar ◽

Sugar Intake

Diabetic patients may find it difficult to achieve recommended nutrient intakes embedded within dietary guidelines. The objective of this analysis was to document total sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar intake as well as the main food sources of these nutrients in Canadian adults with type 2 diabetes before and after an intervention focused on healthy eating. Participants were enrolled in a single-arm dietary intervention trial designed to improve glycemic control and adherence to dietary recommendations. A 4-week menu plan and recipes were provided for participants along with a 6-week educational curriculum. Three repeated 24-h dietary recalls were collected at baseline and 3 months. Food sources of sodium, saturated fat, and added sugar were a secondary outcome derived from the dietary recalls. After 3 months, there was a reduction (p < 0.05) in sodium intake of 561 mg/day, which was mainly due to reduced consumption of processed meats, soups, and condiments. Significantly lower intake of processed meat contributed to –2.9 g/day saturated fat intake (p < 0.1) while added sugar intake declined by 7 g/day (p < 0.1), which was due to lower consumption of baked goods/desserts and chocolate (both p < 0.05). The intervention was beneficial for type 2 diabetes patients in terms of changing dietary habits. However, the majority of the participants still exceeded the dietary guidelines for sodium and saturated fat. In addition to the efforts of individuals and their healthcare providers, strategies to increase the nutritional quality of prepared foods could provide widespread benefits.

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How Successful Are U.S. Adults at Altering Nutrient Intakes and Meeting Dietary Guideline Recommendations?

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzaa061_056 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 1428-1428

Author(s):

Alexandria Kluger ◽

Harris Lieberman ◽

Stefan Pasiakos ◽

Victor Fulgoni ◽

Claire Berryman

Keyword(s):

Saturated Fat ◽

Dietary Guidelines ◽

Self Report ◽

Dietary Intakes ◽

Nutrient Intakes ◽

Added Sugar ◽

Added Sugars ◽

Sodium Diet ◽

Special Diet ◽

Low Salt

Abstract Objectives The Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) recommend dietary patterns that limit added sugar, sodium, and saturated fat and emphasize nutrient-dense foods. It is unknown whether individuals who self-report adhering to a diet that alters nutrient intake are, in fact, meeting DGA recommendations. Objective: To compare dietary intakes and adherence to the DGAs in individuals who self-report following a special diet versus those who report following no diet. Methods NHANES 2003–2014 (≥19 y, n = 30,086) data were analyzed to determine % of the population answering yes or no to “Are you on any type of special diet?”. Individuals who answered yes, were further asked, “What kind of diet are you on?” and chose from a list of special diets (e.g., low salt or sodium; sugar free or low sugar). Mean nutrient intakes for each diet population were compared to the population following no diet. Individual usual intakes were estimated to determine the % of the population above or below nutrient-specific DGA recommendations. P < 0.01 was considered significant. Results In U.S. adults, 15.6 ± 0.3% answered yes when asked if they adhere to a special diet. Individuals who reported following a low sugar diet (n = 208) consumed 8.8 ± 0.7% total daily energy from added sugars, which was less than those following no diet (13.8 ± 0.1%; P < 0.01). Of individuals following a low sugar diet, 67 ± 4% met the recommendation to consume <10% energy from added sugar, which was a greater percentage than those following no diet (32 ± 1%; P < 0.01). Individuals who reported following a low salt/sodium diet (n = 580) consumed 3317 ± 110 mg/d sodium, which was less than those following no diet (3657 ± 17 mg/d; P < 0.01). Only 17 ± 2% of individuals following a low salt/sodium diet met recommendations to consume <2300 mg/d sodium, which was a greater percentage than those following no diet (10 ± 0%; P < 0.01). Conclusions American adults who self-report adhering to a low sugar or low salt/sodium diet consume less added sugar and sodium, respectively, than individuals who report following no diet. However, a substantial proportion of individuals following low sugar or low salt/sodium diets are still not meeting DGA recommendations. Funding Sources DMRP/USAMRDC. Views expressed are those of the authors and do not reflect official policy of the Army, DoD, or US Government.

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Food consumption of adults in Germany: results of the German National Nutrition Survey II based on diet history interviews

British Journal Of Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s0007114515000744 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 113 (10) ◽

pp. 1603-1614 ◽

Cited By ~ 77

Author(s):

Thorsten Heuer ◽

Carolin Krems ◽

Kilson Moon ◽

Christine Brombach ◽

Ingrid Hoffmann

Keyword(s):

Food Consumption ◽

Modular Design ◽

Meat Products ◽

Soft Drinks ◽

Dietary Guidelines ◽

German Population ◽

Nutrition Survey ◽

National Nutrition Survey ◽

Diet History ◽

German National Nutrition Survey

The second German National Nutrition Survey (NVS II) aimed to evaluate food consumption and other aspects of nutritional behaviour of a representative sample of the German population, using a modular design with three different dietary assessment methods. To assess usual food consumption, 15 371 German speaking subjects 14–80 years of age completed a diet history interview between November 2005 and November 2006. With reference to the guidelines of the German Nutrition Society (DGE), NVS II observed that the German population did not eat enough foods of plant origin, especially vegetables and consumed too much of meat and meat products. While generally similar food consumption is observed in other European countries, consumption of bread, fruit juices/nectars and beer is higher in Germany. On average, men consumed two times more meat and soft drinks as well as six times more beer than women did, whereas the consumption of vegetables, fruit as well as herbal/fruit tea was higher in women. Older participants showed a lower consumption of meat, fruit juice/nectars, soft drinks and spirits as well as a higher consumption of fish, vegetables, fruit, and herbal/fruit tea than adolescents and younger adults did. There are also differences in food consumption with regard to socio-economic status (SES). Persons with higher SES consumed more vegetables, fruit, fish, water, coffee/tea and wine, while persons with lower SES consumed more meat and meat products, soft drinks and beer. In general, the food consumption of women, the elderly and the higher SES group tends to be closer to the official dietary guidelines in Germany.

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Dietary patterns among British adults: compatibility with dietary guidelines for salt/sodium, fat, saturated fat and sugars

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980011000875 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 14 (8) ◽

pp. 1323-1336 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Sigrid Gibson ◽

Margaret Ashwell

Keyword(s):

Dietary Patterns ◽

Meat Products ◽

Saturated Fat ◽

Principal Component ◽

Dietary Guidelines ◽

Dietary Advice ◽

Nutrition Survey ◽

Breakfast Cereals ◽

Dietary Records ◽

Males And Females

AbstractObjectiveTo examine dietary patterns among British adults, associations with Na and macronutrient intakes, and implications for dietary advice.DesignPrincipal component analysis of 7 d weighed dietary records.SubjectsAdults aged 19–64 years (n 1724).SettingNational Diet and Nutrition Survey (2000/2001).ResultsHigh Na intake was associated with more energy-dense diets, higher in fat and SFA (percentage of energy) but lower in non-milk extrinsic sugars (NMES). Eight patterns (PC1 to PC8) explained 40 % of the total variance in food intakes. Three patterns – PC3 (high loadings on bread, fats and cheese), PC2 (meat products, eggs and chips) and PC7 (red meat, sauces and alcohol) – were associated with high Na intake. Of these, PC3 correlated with high Na density and Na:K ratio, while PC2 correlated with fat. By contrast, three patterns – ‘health-conscious’ (PC1; vegetables, fruit, fruit juice, fish), ‘breakfast cereals and milk’ (PC6) and ‘chicken and rice’ (PC8) – were associated with modest Na intake, lower Na density and lower fat and SFA. PC2 was positively correlated, and PC1 was negatively correlated, with adding salt to food. Other patterns were ‘tea/coffee and cakes’ (PC4; associated with high SFA and NMES) and ‘soft drinks and snacks’ (PC5; associated with high NMES but not fat or SFA). The dietary patterns of males and females differed slightly.ConclusionsDietary patterns PC1, PC6, PC8 (vegetables, fruit, fish, milk, breakfast cereals, poultry) were broadly compatible with guidelines for salt, fat, SFA and NMES. However, other patterns tended to be high in either salt or NMES.

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Preschoolers’ and Mothers Dietary Practices and Compliance with the 24-h Movement Guidelines: Results of Oman’s National Nutrition Survey

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18168867 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (16) ◽

pp. 8867

Author(s):

Salima Almaamary ◽

Saleh Al Shammakhi ◽

Ibtisam Alghamari ◽

Jana Jabbour ◽

Ayoub Al-Jawaldeh

Keyword(s):

Preschool Children ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Media Exposure ◽

Nutrition Survey ◽

Dietary Practices ◽

Added Sugar ◽

Once Daily ◽

National Nutrition Survey ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Low Prevalence

Introduction: Little is known on the nutritional and lifestyle variables of preschool children in Oman. This study analyzed data of the 2017 Oman National Nutrition Survey to assess the prevalence and interrelationships between dietary and movement variables among preschool children, aged 2–5 years. Methods: Household visits of a nationally representative sample evaluated mothers and children’s dietary, sleep and physical activity practices; media exposure; and anthropometric and sociodemographic variables. Results: Dyads of mothers and pre-school children aged 2–5 years (n = 1771) were assessed. Childhood overweight/obesity was prevalent in 2% of the sample. Over 54% of children consumed sweetened items and/or French fries or chips at least once daily. Over 65% of children had fruits and/or vegetables once daily or less. Mothers had healthier dietary and movement habits compared to their offspring. Compliance with media exposure was the lowest among mothers and children. Multivariate regression revealed children’s increased sweet intake was the only significant predictor of excess weight in children. Conclusion: This study revealed a low prevalence of overweight/obesity among preschool children in Oman. Children had an acceptable compliance with sleeping recommendations, yet limited adherence to media exposure, activity, added sugar and fruits and vegetables guidelines.

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Evaluation of Nutri-Score in Relation to Dietary Guidelines and Food Reformulation in The Netherlands

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13124536 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (12) ◽

pp. 4536

Author(s):

Sovianne ter ter Borg ◽

Elly Steenbergen ◽

Ivon E. J. Milder ◽

Elisabeth H. M. Temme

Keyword(s):

Saturated Fat ◽

Food Choices ◽

Dietary Guidelines ◽

Food Groups ◽

Added Sugar ◽

Cereal Products ◽

Scenario Analyses ◽

Health Council ◽

Dutch Health ◽

Grain Products

An unhealthy dietary pattern is an important risk factor for non-communicable diseases. Front-of-Pack nutritional labels such as Nutri-Score can be used to improve food choices. In addition, products can be improved through reformulation. The current study investigates to what extent Nutri-Score aligns with the Dutch Health Council dietary guidelines and whether it can be used as an incentive for reformulation. Nutri-Score calculations were based on the Dutch Branded Food database (2018). The potential shift in Nutri-Score was calculated with product improvement scenarios. The Nutri-Score classification is in line with these dietary guidelines: increase the consumption of fruit and vegetables, pulses, and unsalted nuts. It is, however, less in line with the recommendations to limit (dairy) drinks with added sugar, reduce the consumption of red meat and replace refined cereal products with whole-grain products. The scenario analyses indicated that a reduction in sodium, saturated fat or sugars resulted in a more favourable Nutri-Score in a large variety of food groups. However, the percentage of products with an improved Nutri-Score varied greatly between the different food groups. Alterations to the algorithm may strengthen Nutri-Score in order to help consumers with their food choices.

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A systematic scoping review of the habitual dietary costs in low socioeconomic groups compared to high socioeconomic groups in Australia

Nutrition Journal ◽

10.1186/s12937-020-00654-5 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Meron Lewis ◽

Sarah A. McNaughton ◽

Lucie Rychetnik ◽

Amanda J. Lee

Keyword(s):

Dietary Intake ◽

Scoping Review ◽

Food Group ◽

Dietary Guidelines ◽

Lower Amount ◽

Food Groups ◽

Socioeconomic Impacts ◽

Low Socioeconomic ◽

Socioeconomic Groups ◽

The Cost

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.

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Application of an Australian Dietary Guideline Index to Weighed Food Records

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11061286 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1286

Author(s):

Susan J. Ward ◽

Alison M. Coates ◽

Alison M. Hill

Keyword(s):

Diet Quality ◽

Methodological Approach ◽

Saturated Fat ◽

Dietary Guidelines ◽

Added Sugars ◽

Food Records ◽

Dietary Guideline ◽

Discretionary Choices ◽

The Relationship

The Dietary Guideline Index (DGI) is a validated diet quality index that reflects adherence to the Australian Dietary Guidelines. The aim of the current study was to establish a novel methodology that applied the DGI to dietary data collected via gold standard, weighed food records (WFR). Consisting of 10 components with a maximal score of 120, the DGI reflected the food-based recommendations of the current Australian Dietary Guidelines and included indicators to score adequacy and quality of core food components and discretionary choices within the diet. The DGI was applied to WFR collected from a sample of 141 adults (84 women, 57 men). Differences between gender for each indicator, as well as subscores for core and noncore components of the DGI were examined. Construct validity was assessed by evaluating the relationship between total DGI score and intake of key nutrients of interest. Overall, the median DGI score was low, 50.87 (range 20.6–104.1). Higher DGI scores were associated with lower intakes of saturated fat, added sugars and sodium (P < 0.05). This methodological approach of applying the DGI to WFR may improve our ability to quantify diet quality, thereby providing a tool to assess changes in dietary intake over time and allow the quantification of diet quality as a variable in relation to health outcomes.

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