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

• DOI: 10.2147/nds.s143404
• Publication Date: 2018-06-20T21:34:00Z
• Authors: Mayra Arias-Gastelum; Francisco Cabrera...; Marcela de Jesús ...; Noé Ontiveros
• Keywords: 2. Zero hunger; RC620-627; Cost; Nutrition. Foods and food supply; Gluten-free diet; Mexico.; Nutrition and Dietary Supplements; Availability; TX341-641; Lifestyle; Nutritional diseases. Deficiency diseases; 3. Good health

Mayra Arias-Gastelum,1 Francisco Cabrera-Chávez,1 Marcela de Jesús Vergara-Jiménez,1 Noé Ontiveros1,2 1School of Nutrition Sciences, Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico; 2Department of Chemical, Biological, and Agricultural Sciences, Universidad de Sonora, Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico 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 diet-associated social restrictions. Keywords: gluten-free diet, cost, availability, lifestyle, Mexico