Is healthy eating for obese children necessarily more costly for families?

• Published in: British journal of general practice 2012-01, Vol.62 (594), p.e1-e5
• Main Authors: Banks, Jonathan, Williams, Jessica, Cumberlidge, Tina, Cimonetti, Tânia, Sharp, Deborah J, Shield, Julian P H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Child; Child, Preschool; Cost of Illness; Diet Records; Dietary Fats - administration & dosage; Energy Intake; Female; Food - economics; Health Behavior; Humans; Male; Obesity - diet therapy; Obesity - economics
• ISSN: 0960-1643; 1478-5242
• DOI: 10.3399/bjgp12X616300

During consultations on weight management in childhood obesity clinics, the additional costs incurred by healthy eating are often cited, as an economic barrier to achieving a better nutritional balance. To examine whether adopting an improved theoretical, balanced diet compared to current dietary habits in children incurs additional cost. Children aged 5-16 years (body mass index [BMI] ≥98th percentile) recruited to a randomised trial comparing a hospital-based and primary care childhood obesity clinics provided data for this study. Three-day dietary diaries collected at baseline were analysed for energy and fat intake and then compared to a theoretical, adjusted healthy-eating diet based on the Food Standards Agency, 'Eatwell plate'. Both were priced contemporaneously using the appropriate portion size, at a neighbourhood, mid-range supermarket, at a budget supermarket, and on the local high street. The existing diet purchased at a budget supermarket was cheapest (£2.48/day). The healthier, alternative menu at the same shop cost an additional 33 pence/day (£2.81). The same exercise in a mid-range supermarket, incurred an additional cost of 4 pence per day (£3.40 versus £3.44). Switching from an unhealthy mid-range supermarket menu to the healthier, budget-outlet alternative saved 59 pence per day. The healthier, alternative menu was cheaper than the existing diet if purchased on the high street (£3.58 versus £3.75), although for both menus this was most expensive. For many obese children, eating healthily would not necessarily incur prohibitive, additional financial cost, although a poor diet at a budget supermarket remains the cheapest of all options. Cost is a possible barrier to healthy eating for the most economically disadvantaged.