Low-cost Dietary Plan for COVID-19 Immunity Response Using Mixed-Integer Linear Programming

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has wreaked havoc on various sectors worldwide affecting people with compromised immunity. A healthy diet plan should include adequate levels of select micronutrients and macronutrients to enhance immunity. Although dietary habits can be modified, the cost of nutritious food has been a significant challenge to Filipino adults due to its cost. Through Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP), a lowcost healthy meal plan is developed following the recommended nutritional intake of a healthy adult. 120 survey respondents aged 19-50 years old from National Capital Region (NCR) initially participated in this study. After exclusion criteria for defined healthy adults, eligible participants proceeded in the second phase. Data collection on socio-demographic, anthropometry, and the participants' food intake was accomplished. Long-term dietary habits were acquired through 24-hour Food Recall Record and Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). A majority of female respondents did not reach the recommended daily intake of Vitamin A(465±519.44mcg), Vitamin D(24±61.12IU/mcg), Vitamin C(72±156.96mg), Vitamin E(18±32.90mg), Zinc(14±8.02mg), Selenium(110±108.77mcg), and daily Protein intake. The same with majority of male respondents in Vitamins A(462±417.40mcg), D(19±31.20IU/mcg), C(50±48.18mg), E(22±38.94mg), and Protein. The remained 391 food items were the variables in the model with 31 constraints and four models were optimized for both males and females which resulted in a 7-day meal plan. The model optimization identified food items in a minimum cost of ₱68.75 and ₱69.08 for Males aged 19-29 and 30-50 years old, respectively. For females, a cost of ₱71.13 (for aged 19-29) and ₱82.57 (for aged 30-50 years old) were obtained.