Work

Modelling the cost differential between current and healthy diets according to household education level in Belgium

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: This study aims to estimate the cost differential between current and healthy diets, overall and by household education level. Data from the 2014–2015 Belgian National Food Consumption Survey and food prices from the 2014 GfK ConsumerScan panel were linked. The DIETCOST programme was used to model healthy, isocaloric healthy and current diets. For the reference household, the average daily diet cost was 20.1€ (95%CI: 19.9–20.4) for current diets, 20.9€ (95%CI: 20.6–21.2) for healthy isocaloric diets (+3.9% vs. the current diets) and 22.5€ (95%CI: 22.3–22.8) for healthy diets (+12.0%). In low-educated households, the cost of current and of healthy isocaloric diets was similar (19.2€ (95%CI: 19.0–19.5) vs. 19.3€ (95%CI: 19.0–19.6)), whereas in high-educated households, the cost of healthy isocaloric diets (22.0€; 95%CI: 21.8–22.3) was higher than the cost of current diets (21.2€; 95%CI: 20.9–21.4)). Though needing validation, this finding is valuable for interventions aimed at improving dietary habits in disadvantaged populations.

Source: International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition

DOI: 10.1080/09637486.2024.2415126

Authors: Camille Pedroni, Katia Castetbon, Lucille Desbouys, Stefanie Vandevijvere

Institutions: Université Libre de Bruxelles, Sciensano (Belgium), Institut Scientifique de Santé Publique

Language: English

Topic: Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior

Subfield: Nutrition and Dietetics

Field: Nursing

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Zero hunger, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Sciensano, European Food Safety Authority, Fonds De La Recherche Scientifique - FNRS, FOD Volksgezondheid, Veiligheid van de Voedselketen en Leefmilieu