Eating Healthy Vs Unhealthy Diet Costs About 150 More Per Daymeta A ✓ Solved

Eating healthy vs. unhealthy diet costs about .50 more per day Meta-analysis pinpoints the price difference of consuming a healthy diet, which could be burden for low-income families but is trivial compared with health costs of eating an unhealthy diet For immediate release: Thursday, December 5, 2013 Boston, MA – The healthiest diets cost about .50 more per day than the least healthy diets , according to new research from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH). The finding is based on the most comprehensive examination to date comparing prices of healthy foods and diet patterns vs. less healthy ones. The study will be published online December 5, 2013 in BMJ (British Medical Journal) Open.

“People often say that healthier foods are more expensive, and that such costs strongly limit better diet habits,†said lead author Mayuree Rao, a junior research fellow in the Department of Epidemiology at HSPH. “But, until now, the scientific evidence for this idea has not been systematically evaluated, nor have the actual differences in cost been characterized.†To address this question, the HSPH researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 27 existing studies from 10 high-income countries that included price data for individual foods and for healthier vs. less healthy diets. They evaluated the differences in prices per serving and per 200 calories for particular types of foods, and prices per day and per 2,000 calories (the United States Department of Agriculture’s recommended average daily calorie intake for adults) for overall diet patterns.

Both prices per serving and per calorie were assessed because prices can vary depending on the unit of comparison. The researchers found that healthier diet patterns—for example, diets rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, and nuts—cost significantly more than unhealthy diets (for example, those rich in processed foods, meats, and refined grains). On average, a day’s worth of the most healthy diet patterns cost about .50 more per day than the least healthy ones. The researchers suggested that unhealthy diets may cost less because food policies have focused on the production of “inexpensive, high volume†commodities, which has led to “a complex network of farming, storage, transportation, processing, manufacturing, and marketing capabilities that favor sales of highly processed food products for maximal industry profit.†Given this reality, they said that creating a similar infrastructure to support production of healthier foods might help increase availability—and reduce the prices—of more healthful diets.

“This research provides the most complete picture to-date on true cost differences of healthy diets,†said [[Dariush Mozaffarian]], the study’s senior author and associate professor at HSPH and Harvard Medical School. “While healthier diets did cost more, the difference was smaller than many people might have expected. Over the course of a year, .50/day more for eating a healthy diet would increase food costs for one person by about 0 per year. This would represent a real burden for some families, and we need policies to help offset these costs. On the other hand, this price difference is very small in comparison to the economic costs of diet-related chronic diseases, which would be dramatically reduced by healthy diets.†Other HSPH authors included research fellows [[Ashkan Afshin]] (Department of Epidemiology) and [[Gitanjali Singh]] (Department of Nutrition).

Funding for the study came from a Genes and Environment Initiative (GENI) grant from HSPH; a National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Cardiovascular Epidemiology Training Grant in Behavior, the Environment, and Global Health (T32 HL098048); and from a National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Training Grant in Academic Nutrition (T32 DK007703). “Do Healthier Foods and Diet Patterns Cost More Than Less Healthy Options? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,†Mayuree Rao, Ashkan Afshin, Gitanjali Singh, Dariush Mozaffarian, BMJ Open , December 5, 2013 For more information: Marge Dwyer 617.432.8416 [email protected] photo: iStockphoto.com ### Harvard School of Public Health brings together dedicated experts from many disciplines to educate new generations of global health leaders and produce powerful ideas that improve the lives and health of people everywhere.

As a community of leading scientists, educators, and students, we work together to take innovative ideas from the laboratory and the classroom to people’s lives—not only making scientific breakthroughs, but also working to change individual behaviors, public policies, and health care practices. Each year, more than 400 faculty members at HSPH teach 1,000-plus full-time students from around the world and train thousands more through online and executive education courses. Founded in 1913 as the Harvard-MIT School of Health Officers, the School is recognized as the oldest professional training program in public health. Retrieved from,

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Eating Healthy vs. Unhealthy Diet Costs: An Analysis
Eating habits and dietary choices have profound implications on health, nutrition, and overall well-being. According to a meta-analysis conducted by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH), healthier diets indeed cost approximately .50 more per day compared to less healthy diets (Rao et al., 2013). This difference, while seemingly trivial, could pose a significant financial burden for low-income families, yet it is critical to examine the broader context regarding the costs associated with unhealthy diets.

Understanding the Cost Difference

The study assesses the price differences between healthier diet patterns—characterized by high intakes of fruits, vegetables, fish, and nuts—and unhealthy diets, rich in processed foods, meats, and refined grains (Rao et al., 2013).
1. Price Comparison:
- The researchers conducted a systematic review of 27 studies from 10 high-income countries, considering different comparisons including price per serving, price per calorie, and overall daily diet costs (Mozaffarian, 2013).
- Findings revealed that healthy diets cost about .50 more per day. Over a year, this amounts to roughly 0, posing a potential hardship for families with limited budgets.
2. Economic Perspective:
- While an additional .50 per day can strain family finances, it pales in comparison to the economic costs incurred from diet-related chronic diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular issues, which often arise from unhealthy eating habits (Mozaffarian et al., 2013). The analysis highlights that healthier diets could lead to significant savings by lowering healthcare expenditure over time, creating a compelling argument for prioritizing nutritional education and policies aimed at increasing access to healthy foods.

Factors Contributing to the Price Differential

Several underlying factors contribute to the cost disparity between healthy and unhealthy foods:
3. Food Policy and Production Systems:
- The study suggests that agriculture and food policies have historically favored the mass production of inexpensive, high-volume commodities, resulting in a robust infrastructure that supports the availability of processed and unhealthy food products (Rao et al., 2013). Meanwhile, healthy foods, often viewed as specialty or premium products, lack similar support systems.
4. Marketing and Accessibility:
- Marketing strategies predominantly promote unhealthy options, particularly in lower-income neighborhoods, contributing to the perception that these foods are more desirable (Afshin et al., 2013). Moreover, food deserts—areas lacking access to affordable and nutritious food—exacerbate the challenge for low-income families striving to purchase healthy diets.

Implications for Policy and Individual Behavior

Policymakers and public health officials must recognize the cost barriers faced by low-income families in accessing healthy diets:
5. Supporting Healthy Food Initiatives:
- The evidence suggests a need for policies that support the production and distribution of healthy food options. Initiatives like subsidies for fruits and vegetables, improved transportation systems for healthy food access, and community programs promoting nutrition education are critical (Mozaffarian et al., 2013).
6. Health Education and Awareness:
- Public awareness campaigns can help distinguish the true value of investing in healthy foods, emphasizing the long-term economic benefits associated with reduced healthcare costs and improved quality of life (Afshin et al., 2013).

Conclusion

The research conducted by HSPH underscores the importance of understanding the economic implications of dietary choices. While healthier diets may cost more on a daily basis, the investment is outweighed by the potential savings generated through reduced healthcare costs and improved public health outcomes. Navigating these financial barriers is essential for achieving equity in health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable populations. By addressing these challenges through thoughtful policies and community engagement, society can foster an environment that promotes healthy eating and enhances overall wellbeing.

References

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