A healthy diet can cost less than junk food, says new
research
15 December 2011
Parents of some obese children could save up
to £6.58 each week by changing their shopping habits and opting for
a healthier diet, according to research published in the latest
issue of the British Journal of General Practice.
The study in the January issue on the theme of Obesity shows
that healthier eating does not have to be more expensive,
challenging one of the commonly cited barriers to dietary
change.
The research team led by doctors at the University of Bristol,
Julian Hamilton-Shield and Debbie Sharp analysed food diaries kept
by the families of obese children and measured the costs of
substituting healthy food options for unhealthy ones, finding that
healthy eating can cost less than junk food.
The figures showed that healthier eating could cost no more than
£2.31 extra a week, and that in some cases, savings of up to £6.58
a week could by made by switching shops.
The research tests the perception of both parents and some
health professionals that healthy eating is, by necessity, more
expensive. It demonstrates that it is possible to switch from an
unhealthy to a healthy diet, and still reduce food costs.
Julian Hamilton-Shield, from the Bristol Royal Hospital for
Children, said: "Food cost is frequently cited as a reason for
failure to address eating behaviours in clinical practice, and this
study demonstrates that for many this is a perceived rather than
real barrier."
The food diaries of obese children were analysed for various
aspects of nutritional content then converted by qualified
dieticians into ‘healthier option’ daily menus, following the
guidelines of the ‘Eatwell plate’. The participants’ diaries showed
that on average they consumed 221 calories per day more than the
estimated average requirements (EAR). The adjusted healthier menus
reduced this to just seven calories per day above the EAR.
Comparing the cost of the two menus if bought from budget
supermarkets, mid-range supermarkets and local high street stores
showed that shoppers at a mid-range supermarket who ate a diet of
low nutritional quality could switch to a healthy diet by shopping
in a budget supermarket and still save money.
While recognising that other factors play a part in diet – taste
preferences, the time people are able to spend cooking, cooking
skills, and other family circumstances – the results do suggest
that as pressure grows on family finances, there are healthy eating
options that will not break the bank.
In a separate study the same Bristol research team conducted a
randomised controlled trial, the results of which showed that there
is potential for primary care to be as effective as hospital
clinics in managing child obesity, providing similar outcomes and
levels of patient satisfaction.
The trial transferred a well-established hospital clinic to
general practice. If applied more widely, this approach could
reduce the burden on the health service, as well as improving
access to support and services for families.
Most obese children currently have limited or no access to
services that could help them, as hospital based clinics are
greatly over-subscribed. Clinics in primary care settings would be
more accessible for many families, and would reduce the pressure on
hospital-based clinics such as the Care of Childhood Obesity (COCO)
clinic at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children, which was
involved in the trial.
Also in the issue
GPs should adopt similar techniques to those used successfully
in smoking cessation programmes to encourage overweight patients to
make dietary changes, says another study.
By simulating consultations with patients who needed smoking
cessation support or dietary advice, Dr Katie Phillips and
colleagues from the University Hospital of Wales found that while
GPs were comfortable and competent in the smoking cessation
consultations, they were less successful in giving clear, accurate
advice on dietary change and target setting.
The study focused on what information was discussed in
consultations rather than how, and found that in discussing healthy
eating there was a lack of consistency and clarity from GPs,
compared with their consultations on stopping smoking.
In both smoking and eating habits, encouraging behaviour change
is complex and often unique to the patient but clearer discussion
and agreement of goals and specific dietary changes would help
patients make more progress, says the study.
Professor Roger Jones, Editor of the BJGP, said: “Obesity is
presenting the NHS with many challenges. The focus on Obesity
in this month’s issue shows the potential of GPs in tackling the
problem and could lead to important developments in the way the
condition is managed in both children and adults.”
Ends
FURTHER INFORMATION
RCGP Press office – 020 3188 7576/7575/7574
press@rcgp.org.uk