Abstract
Background
Prices of foods can influence purchase and, therefore, overall quality of diet. However,
a limited number of studies have analyzed the cost of diets according to the overall
quality of diets taking into account sociodemographic characteristics.
Objective
Our aim was to estimate cost variations according to diet quality and to identify
sociodemographic characteristics associated with such cost differences in adults’
diets in Belgium.
Design
This cross-sectional study used nationally representative data from Belgium.
Participants/settings
Participants were adults (aged 18 to 64 years; n = 1,158) included in the 2014-2015
Belgian National Food Consumption Survey.
Main outcome measures
Dietary assessment was based on two 24-hour dietary recalls and a food frequency questionnaire.
The Mediterranean Diet Score and the Healthy Diet Indicator were used to assess diet
quality. Daily diet cost was estimated after linking the consumed foods with the 2014
GfK ConsumerScan Panel food price data.
Statistical analyses performed
Associations were estimated using linear regressions.
Results
The mean daily diet cost was US$6.51 (standard error of mean [SEM] US$0.08; €5.79
[€0.07]). Adjusted for covariates and energy intake, mean (SEM) daily diet cost was
significantly higher in the highest tercile (T3) of both diet quality scores than
in the T1 (Mediterranean Diet Score: T1 = US$6.29 [US$0.10]; €5.60 [€0.09] vs T3 =
US$6.78 [US$0.11]; €6.03 [€0.10]; Healthy Diet Indicator: T1 = US$6.09 [US$0.10];
€5.42 [€0.09] vs T3 = US$7.13 [US$0.11]; €6.34 [€0.10]). Both diet quality and cost
were higher in 35- to 64-year-old respondents (vs 18- to 34-year-olds), workers (vs
students), and those with higher education levels (vs the lowest). The association
between quality and cost of diets was weaker in men and among individuals with higher
education levels.
Conclusions
In Belgium, a high-quality diet was more expensive than a low-quality diet. These
findings can be used to inform public health policies.
Keywords
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Biography
C. Pedroni is a PhD student, Research Centre in Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Clinical Research, School of Public Health, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
Biography
K. Castetbon is a professor of epidemiology, Research Centre in Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Clinical Research, School of Public Health, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
Biography
L. Desbouys is a researcher, Research Centre in Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Clinical Research, School of Public Health, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
Biography
M. Rouche is a PhD student, Research Centre in Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Clinical Research, School of Public Health, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium.
Biography
S. Vandevijvere is a senior scientist, Unit Lifestyle and Chronic Diseases, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Scientific Institute of Public Health (Sciensano), Brussels, Belgium.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 23, 2021
Accepted:
May 26,
2021
Received:
June 15,
2020
Footnotes
Supplementary materials: Tables 1, 2, and 4 are available at www.jandonline.org
STATEMENT OF POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
FUNDING/SUPPORT The 2014 Belgian National Food Consumption Survey was the result of a collaboration between the Sciensano (formerly Scientific Institute of Public Health), the Federal Public Service of Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, and the European Food Safety Authority. The food price data were purchased thanks to a research credit granted by the Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique (FNRS) (grant J.0017.19).
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© 2021 by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
