Abstract
BackgroundCzech nutrition recommendations prioritize health aspects without considering affordability. Low socio-economic groups have the highest risk of nutrition-related noncommunicable diseases and cost has been identified as an obstacle to achieve a healthy diet, making the implementation of affordability into dietary guidelines necessary. The aim of this study was to develop a food basket (FB) for a low income Czech family of four that is nutritionally adequate, health-promoting and culturally acceptable at an affordable price.MethodsLinear programming optimisation was used to ascertain that the FB covered the recommended nutrient intakes from the Czech Nutrition Society and from the World Health Organization (WHO). Cost of the FB was calculated on the basis of more than 3900 prices of 330 foods. Within a given cost constraint, all FBs were optimized for the highest possible similarity to the reported food group intake according to the most recent Czech National Food Consumption survey, which was used as a proxy for cultural acceptability.ResultsThe optimised FB affordable at a daily food budget for a Czech family on minimum wage (CZK 177, ~ € 6.8) contained 76 foods and had an average relative deviation of 10% per food category from reported intake. The main deviations were: 72% less sweets and confectionery; 66% less salt; 52% less meat; 50% less milk products; 8% less potatoes; and 484% more milk; 69% more oils and fats; 20% more cereals; and 6% more vegetables.ConclusionsThe optimised FB can help to guide the development of food-based dietary guidelines for low income households in Czech Republic.
Highlights
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) cause 90% of deaths in the Czech Republic, of which approximately 10 and 20% are preventable for men and women, respectively [1]
The Czech food basket with the lowest cost (LCFB) In order to identify the composition of a Food Basket which fulfils all nutritional requirements for a Czech family of four at lowest possible cost, the food supply was optimized for cost, applying nutrient constraints only
Lowering the lower limits and increasing the upper limits of these nutrients for each family member would result in reduced cost of the food basket
Summary
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) cause 90% of deaths in the Czech Republic, of which approximately 10 and 20% are preventable for men and women, respectively [1]. Faksová et al Nutrition Journal (2019) 18:84 and refined carbohydrates as well as a low consumption of vegetables and fruit, are among the most important behavioural risk factors for CVDs [8] and eating micronutrient-dense foods with low energy density can help prevent both noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and micronutrient deficiencies [2, 9]. The prevalence of obesity in the Czech Republic is higher among those with low socio-economic status (SES) compared with high SES, similar to other EU countries [12]. Low socio-economic groups have the highest risk of nutrition-related noncommunicable diseases and cost has been identified as an obstacle to achieve a healthy diet, making the implementation of affordability into dietary guidelines necessary. The aim of this study was to develop a food basket (FB) for a low income Czech family of four that is nutritionally adequate, health-promoting and culturally acceptable at an affordable price
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