The gluten-free diet: access and economic aspects and impact on lifestyle

Abstract

Background: The cost and availability of gluten-free products (GFPs) are aspects associated with gluten-free dietary compliance. In turn, following a gluten-free diet (GFD) could impact on lifestyle. Objectives: To investigate the availability and cost of GFPs in Northwestern Mexico, to associate these factors with gluten-free dietary noncompliance, and to evaluate the impact of the GFD on lifestyle. Materials and methods: Gluten-containing foods were compared with their gluten-free versions. The data were collected by store visitation (16 supermarkets and 10 health food stores). Individuals prescribed a GFD by a physician were surveyed (n=36). Results: The gluten-free versions investigated (n=16) had limited availability (average 26.9%; 4.3 gluten-free versions available per store) and were more expensive than their gluten-containing counterparts (190%-1088%, P<0.05). Poor gluten-free dietary compliance was attributed to the high cost (n=36) and low availability (n=30) of GFPs. Most respondents were afraid of dining out (n=35), were limiting their social activities (n=32), and had difficulties traveling (n=30). Conclusion: Health care professionals who counsel gluten-sensitive patients should provide tools to facilitate access to GFPs and to minimize the cost of the GFD, and consider the dietassociated social restrictions.

Gluten-Free Cereal Products and Beverages: A Review of Their Health Benefits in the Last Five Years

“…This finding was in line with other studies which stated that gluten-free products had higher prices compared to gluten-containing products [70]. One of the reasons that contributes to the high price of gluten-free products is the fact that some countries, such as Mexico, do not provide subsidies for gluten-free food products [71]. Besides that, according to an online website, another reason that contributes to the high price of gluten-free products in the market is the complexity of the production process.…”

Prevalence of Adverse Reactions to Glutenand People Going on a Gluten-Free Diet:A Survey Study Conducted in Brazil

“…Although there is poor availability of gluten-free products in Brazil and the cost of these products is high compared to their regular counterparts [32], the general prevalence of adherence to a GFD (7.48%) in the population studied is the highest among the prevalence rates reported in other surveys carried out in Latin America. Particularly, this prevalence rate is two-fold higher than the rate reported in a survey carried out in Mexico (3.7%) [13], the high cost and poor availability of gluten-free products have been documented in Mexico [33]. This highlights that there is not enough data to establish a clear association between the cost and availability of gluten-free products and the prevalence rates of adherence to a GFD, at least in Latin America.…”

Availability and cost of gluten-free products in Moroccan supermarkets and e-commerce platforms

“…This low availability of GFPs was also observed by Lee et al (2007), and it was variable across sales locations. Foods without gluten were less available by 26.6, 26.9, 41 and 42% compared to GCPs equivalents in Argentina, in Mexico, in Chile and in the United Kingdom, respectively (Carla et al , 2015; Arias-Gastelum et al , 2018; Singh and Whelan, 2011; Estévez et al , 2016). In Brazil, low availability has affected all categories (Bagolin do Nascimento et al , 2014).…”

“…However, a lot of barriers limit absolute adherence to the GFDs, mainly their availability in the marketplaces, high prices and labeling of gluten-free products (GFPs) (Frcpc, 2014). Low availability and high prices of gluten-free food (GFF) have a negative impact on GFD compliance (Arias-Gastelum et al , 2018). Hence, the need to implement the necessary measures to enable patients to purchase GFPs at reasonable prices.…”