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

Author

Listed:
  • Meron Lewis

    (School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Australia
    The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, The Sax Institute, Glebe 2037, Australia)

  • Sarah A. McNaughton

    (Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong 3220, Australia)

  • Lucie Rychetnik

    (The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre, The Sax Institute, Glebe 2037, Australia
    School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Glebe 2037, Australia)

  • Mark D. Chatfield

    (School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Australia)

  • Amanda J. Lee

    (School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston 4006, Australia)

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Meron Lewis & Sarah A. McNaughton & Lucie Rychetnik & Mark D. Chatfield & Amanda J. Lee, 2021. "Dietary Intake, Cost, and Affordability by Socioeconomic Group in Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:24:p:13315-:d:705019
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sharon Friel & Melanie Pescud & Eleanor Malbon & Amanda Lee & Robert Carter & Joanne Greenfield & Megan Cobcroft & Jane Potter & Lucie Rychetnik & Beth Meertens, 2017. "Using systems science to understand the determinants of inequities in healthy eating," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(11), pages 1-18, November.
    2. Timothy J. Landrigan & Deborah A. Kerr & Satvinder S. Dhaliwal & Christina M. Pollard, 2018. "Protocol for the Development of a Food Stress Index to Identify Households Most at Risk of Food Insecurity in Western Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-9, December.
    3. Penelope Love & Jillian Whelan & Colin Bell & Felicity Grainger & Cherie Russell & Meron Lewis & Amanda Lee, 2018. "Healthy Diets in Rural Victoria—Cheaper than Unhealthy Alternatives, Yet Unaffordable," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-16, November.
    4. Amanda Lee & Meron Lewis, 2018. "Testing the Price of Healthy and Current Diets in Remote Aboriginal Communities to Improve Food Security: Development of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healthy Diets ASAP (Australian Standa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-15, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Meron Lewis & Lisa-Maree Herron & Mark D. Chatfield & Ru Chyi Tan & Alana Dale & Stephen Nash & Amanda J. Lee, 2023. "Healthy Food Prices Increased More Than the Prices of Unhealthy Options during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Concurrent Challenges to the Food System," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-17, February.

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