Pilot Test of a Diet Cost Calculation Process for Use in Economic Evaluations of Dietary Interventions

sana — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 20:25:45 +0000

Pilot Test of a Diet Cost Calculation Process for Use in Economic Evaluations of Dietary Interventions sana Mon, 07/06/2026 - 16:25

Background

Nutrition is a significant modifiable risk factor for many illnesses. One often-cited barrier to diet change is the perceived cost of healthy food. While many diet diary templates exist, none have been developed to capture the data needed for calculating the cost of a diet consumed during a diet intervention study.

Methods

The objective of the present project was to develop and pilot test (1) a tailored diet diary template with instructions, and (2) alternative approaches for calculating diet cost. We created a draft diet diary and instructions which were used by participants. We used those data to test the feasibility of calculating weekly diet cost. Two methods were used: calculation of the cost of the actual price of the items purchased, and standardised prices. Acceptability was assessed by conducting participant interviews and the feedback that was provided was used to revise them. The methods to calculate costs were compared in terms of feasibility and researcher time needed.

Results

Of the 15 participants enrolled, 14 completed the interview. All participants reported that the process was acceptable or highly acceptable. Participant feedback was used to guide changes to the diet diary and instructions. Costs were calculated for 85.3% to 96.3% of food items. The researcher time needed to complete each method per participant, per week was 5 to 6.5 h. Participants who gave feedback confirmed that the edits addressed their previous concerns.

Conclusions

Overall, the diet diary and instructions were acceptable to participants who are women and feasible for the collection and costing of diet data in Canada.

DOI link: doi.org/10.1111/jhn.70302

Author

Monique Aucoin, Hainan Yu, Melissa Murphy, Nicole Yoannou, Laura LaChance, Kieran Cooley, Patricia M. Herman

Citedate

2026-07-02

Citation

M. Aucoin, H. Yu, M. Murphy, et al., “Pilot Test of a Diet Cost Calculation Process for Use in Economic Evaluations of Dietary Interventions,” Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics39 (2026): e70302, https://doi.org/10.1111/jhn.70302.

Publication

Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics

Taxonomy

Diet / Healthy Living

Cultural Adaptations Addressing Diversity and Health Access in the Mediterranean Diet: A Realist Synthesis

sana — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 15:11:56 +0000

Cultural Adaptations Addressing Diversity and Health Access in the Mediterranean Diet: A Realist Synthesis sana Wed, 03/27/2024 - 11:11

Background

The Mediterranean diet (MD) has been studied for its benefits, including metabolic risk factors, since the 1950s. In recent years, debates around barriers to access within cultural and environmental fields have arisen within non-Eurocentric cultural backgrounds. Using data related to health benefits derived from dietary components, this review will produce a map of MD modifications to match various cultures.

Methods

Foods and constituents of the MD were compared and analyzed to assess benefits for both healthy and metabolic disease states using both empirical and theoretical approaches. Databases (PubMed and Cochrane) were searched using terms for cultural diets and metabolic disease outcomes associated with the MD (e.g., HbA1C, cholesterol, waist circumference, weight, AST and ALT). One multicultural diet database was chosen to identify culturally specific foods that match components of the MD to each cultural affinity.

Results

Cultural alternatives to foods and components of the MD exist. However, there is modest research on the specific health effects of most culturally adapted diets.

Conclusion

While some evidence gaps exist, it is feasible to translate most components of the MD to diets suitable for various cultural affinities. Future research is needed to examine the overall effects of these diets based on MD macronutrient presentation and the barriers associated with cultural–religious dietary practices and access to foods. Healthcare practitioners may benefit from this as a resource and to facilitate inclusivity and cultural competency for a broader range of dietary behaviours.

DOI link: https://doi.org/10.54434/candj.146

Author

Nana-Adjoa Bourne, ND, Gursharan K. Gill, ND, and Kieran Cooley, ND (Non-Clinical)

Citedate

2024-03-21

Citation

Bourne N-A, Gill G, Cooley K. Cultural Adaptations Addressing Diversity and Health Access in the Mediterranean Diet: A Realist Synthesis. CANDJ [Internet]. 2024 Mar. 21 [cited 2024 Mar. 27];31(1):37-46.

Publication

CAND Journal

Taxonomy

Diet / Healthy Living