title: How expensive is a cardioprotective diet? Analysis from the CRESSIDA study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether a cardioprotective dietary intervention based on UK dietary guidelines was more expensive than a conventional UK diet.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cost analysis of food records collected at baseline and after a 12-week dietary intervention of a cardioprotective diet v. conventional UK diet.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled dietary intervention study (CRESSIDA; ISRCTN 92382106) investigating the impact of following a diet consistent with UK dietary guidelines on CVD risk.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were healthy UK residents aged 40-70 years. A sub-sample of participants was randomly selected from those who completed the cardioprotective dietary intervention (n 20) or the conventional UK dietary intervention (n 20).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Baseline diet costs did not differ between groups; mean daily food cost for all participants was £6·12 (sd £1·83). The intervention diets were not more expensive: at end point the mean daily cost of the cardioprotective diet was £6·43 (sd £2·05) v. the control diet which was £6·53 (sd £1·53; P=0·86).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no evidence that consumption of a cardioprotective diet was more expensive than a conventional dietary pattern. Despite the perception that healthier foods are less affordable, these results suggest that cost may not be a barrier when modifying habitual intake and under tightly controlled trial conditions. The identification of specific food groups that may be a cost concern for individuals may be useful for tailoring interventions for CVD prevention for individuals and populations.
authors.affiliation: 1Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine,Bond University,2 Promethean Way, Robina,QLD 4226,Australia.
authors.forename: Dianne P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Reidlinger
authors.affiliation: 2Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine,Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences Division,King's College London,London,UK.
authors.forename: Thomas Ab
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Sanders
authors.affiliation: 2Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine,Diabetes and Nutritional Sciences Division,King's College London,London,UK.
authors.forename: Louise M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Goff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002319:Cardiovascular System / Q000378:metabolism; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis / Q000191:economics*; D000072001:Diet, Healthy / Q000191:economics*; D004039:Diet, Sodium-Restricted / Q000191:economics; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005502:Food / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D004044:Dietary Proteins; D005227:Fatty Acids
keywords: CVD; Diet; Dietary guidelines; Food costs; Monetary costs