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Factors associated with maintenance of body mass index in the Jackson Heart Study: A prospective cohort study secondary analysis.
Auerbach, BJ, Katz, R, Tucker, K, Boyko, EJ, Drewnowski, A, Bertoni, A, Dubbert, P, Hickson, DA, Correa, A, Young, BA
Preventive medicine. 2017;:95-100
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compare the relationship of diet quality, physical activity, and environmental factors with body mass index (BMI) maintenance in African American adults. We analyzed data from 4041 participants in the Jackson Heart Study, a prospective cohort study based in Jackson, Mississippi. Exposures were baseline American Heart Association diet quality score, American Heart Association physical activity categories, the built environment, the food environment, and neighborhood safety. The outcome was weight maintenance or loss (no BMI increase ≥1.0kg/m2) versus weight gain (BMI increased ≥1.0kg/m2) over a mean of 5.0years. We found that 63% of participants maintained or lost weight and 37% gained weight. In multivariable analyses, ideal diet quality was associated with a 6% greater likelihood of BMI maintenance (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03, 1.10). Living in an unsafe neighborhood was associated with a 2% lower likelihood of BMI maintenance (IRR 0.98, 95% CI: 0.96, 0.99), as was poor built environment (IRR 0.98, 95% CI: 0.97, 0.998). Physical activity and poor food environment were not associated with BMI maintenance. In conclusion, among African American adults in Jackson, Mississippi, high quality diet was the strongest factor associated with BMI maintenance.
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Contribution of food prices and diet cost to socioeconomic disparities in diet quality and health: a systematic review and analysis.
Darmon, N, Drewnowski, A
Nutrition reviews. 2015;(10):643-60
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Abstract
CONTEXT It is well established in the literature that healthier diets cost more than unhealthy diets. OBJECTIVE The aim of this review was to examine the contribution of food prices and diet cost to socioeconomic inequalities in diet quality. DATA SOURCES A systematic literature search of the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases was performed. STUDY SELECTION Publications linking food prices, dietary quality, and socioeconomic status were selected. DATA EXTRACTION Where possible, review conclusions were illustrated using a French national database of commonly consumed foods and their mean retail prices. DATA SYNTHESIS Foods of lower nutritional value and lower-quality diets generally cost less per calorie and tended to be selected by groups of lower socioeconomic status. A number of nutrient-dense foods were available at low cost but were not always palatable or culturally acceptable to the low-income consumer. Acceptable healthier diets were uniformly associated with higher costs. Food budgets in poverty were insufficient to ensure optimum diets. CONCLUSIONS Socioeconomic disparities in diet quality may be explained by the higher cost of healthy diets. Identifying food patterns that are nutrient rich, affordable, and appealing should be a priority to fight social inequalities in nutrition and health.
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Economic instruments for obesity prevention: results of a scoping review and modified Delphi survey.
Faulkner, GE, Grootendorst, P, Nguyen, VH, Andreyeva, T, Arbour-Nicitopoulos, K, Auld, MC, Cash, SB, Cawley, J, Donnelly, P, Drewnowski, A, et al
The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity. 2011;:109
Abstract
BACKGROUND Comprehensive, multi-level approaches are required to address obesity. One important target for intervention is the economic domain. The purpose of this study was to synthesize existing evidence regarding the impact of economic policies targeting obesity and its causal behaviours (diet, physical activity), and to make specific recommendations for the Canadian context. METHODS Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) methodological framework for conducting scoping reviews was adopted for this study and this consisted of two phases: 1) a structured literature search and review, and 2) consultation with experts in the research field through a Delphi survey and an in-person expert panel meeting in April 2010. RESULTS Two key findings from the scoping review included 1) consistent evidence that weight outcomes are responsive to food and beverage prices. The debate on the use of food taxes and subsidies to address obesity should now shift to how best to address practical issues in designing such policies; and 2) very few studies have examined the impact of economic instruments to promote physical activity and clear policy recommendations cannot be made at this time. Delphi survey findings emphasised the relatively modest impact any specific economic instrument would have on obesity independently. Based on empirical evidence and expert opinion, three recommendations were supported. First, to create and implement an effective health filter to review new and current agricultural polices to reduce the possibility that such policies have a deleterious impact on population rates of obesity. Second, to implement a caloric sweetened beverage tax. Third, to examine how to implement fruit and vegetable subsidies targeted at children and low income households. CONCLUSIONS In terms of economic interventions, shifting from empirical evidence to policy recommendation remains challenging. Overall, the evidence is not sufficiently strong to provide clear policy direction. Additionally, the nature of the experiments needed to provide definitive evidence supporting certain policy directions is likely to be complex and potentially unfeasible. However, these are not reasons to take no action. It is likely that policies need to be implemented in the face of an incomplete evidence base.