Original scientific paper
The relation between food price, energy density and diet quality
Margareta Bolarić
; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, Laboratory for Nutrition Science, Pierottijeva 6, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia; Association ‘SVE za NJU!’, Kneza Mislava 10, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Zvonimir Šatalić
orcid.org/0000-0001-7688-2765
; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, Laboratory for Nutrition Science, Pierottijeva 6, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
Low energy density diet, high in fruits and vegetables, is related to lower obesity risk and to better health status, but is more expensive. High energy density diet, high in added sugar and fats, is more affordable, but is related to higher obesity and chronic diseases risk. The aim of this study was to report prices according to energy density (low vs. high) of food items and to show how food affordability could affect food choice and consumers’ health. Data was collected for 137 raw and processed foods from three purchase sites in Zagreb (one representative for supermarket, one smaller shop and green market). Results showed that low energy density food is more expensive than high energy density food (for example, the price of 1000 kcal from green zucchini (15 kcal/100 g) is 124.20 kn while the price of 1000 kcal from sour cream (138 kcal/100 g) is 13.99 kn). Food energy price was significantly different (p<0.05) between food groups with highest price for vegetable products (159.04 ± 36.18 kn/1000 kcal) and raw vegetables (97.90 ± 50.13 kn/1000 kcal) and lowest for fats (8.49 ± 1.22 kn/1000 kcal) and cereals and products (5.66 ± 0.76 kn/1000 kcal). Negative correlation (Spearman r=-0.72, p<0.0001) was observed for energy density (kcal/100 g) and price of 1000 kcal. Therefore, it is advisable to develop strategies in order to reduce price of low energy density food and encourage its intake since it would improve diet quality, which could lead to better costumers’ health.
Keywords
energy density; food price; food choice; diet quality; obesity
Hrčak ID:
113677
URI
Publication date:
31.12.2013.
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