scholarly journals The Cost of Nutritious Diets for Individuals and Households in Rural Malawi

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 904-904
Author(s):  
Kate Schneider ◽  
Luc Christiaensen ◽  
Patrick Webb ◽  
William Masters
Keyword(s):  
Group Analysis ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Nutrient Requirements ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Local Markets ◽  
Adequate Diet ◽  
Household Food ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Shared Meals

Abstract Objectives The affordability of healthy diets is a key concern for policymakers and an active area of research. To the best of our knowledge, ours is the first study to examine the cost of nutritionally adequate diets for all population age and sex subgroups at subnational disaggregation over a 10-year monthly time series as well as to extend the least-cost diet framework from individuals to household units who consume shared meals. Methods We use household survey panel data matched with local food composition data, human nutrient requirements (EARs, ULs and AMDRs), and monthly market food prices. The food price data include a standardized list of 51 items comprising those foods accounting for the vast majority of household food spending, covering all food groups. Household data are from the Integrated Household Panel Survey (IHPS) 3-round panel (2010–2017). Using linear programming, we identify the combination of available foods and quantities that meet the specified nutrient requirements at the lowest total cost. Results Local markets can supply an adequate diet most of the time for some groups but much less often for breastfeeding women and young children, and not at al for children 6–36 months. Where possible, we find that the least-cost individual diet costs 32% of current per capita food spending. For whole households, the local market can meet aggregate nutrient needs 30% of the time. Where possible, it costs 1.8 times household food spending or all total expenditure. Food group analysis reveals households spend more on cereals, meat and roots/tubers, compared to the least-cost adequate diet, but may be under-spending on legumes, milk, fats, and vitamin A-rich fruits. Conclusions Finding a healthy diet in Malawi's local markets is not always possible for all types of individuals or families of varying composition. Children 6–36 months require immediate attention, including increasing access to complete complementary foods. Guiding households to make smart shifts in their food spending could improve diet quality but is insufficient alone given that adequate shared meals are unaffordable for most families. Year-round access to nutritious, affordable diets will require an increase in availability and lower cost of nutrient-dense foods and economic growth to raise incomes. Funding Sources Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, CANDASA project.

scholarly journals Assessing the Economic Feasibility of Assuring Nutritionally Adequate Diets for Vulnerable Populations in Uttar Pradesh, India: Key Findings from ‘Cost of the Diet’ Analysis (OR21-05-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shivani Kachwaha ◽  
Phuong Nguyen ◽  
Michelle DeFreese ◽  
Shruthi Cyriac ◽  
Amy Webb Girard ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Behavior Change ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Uttar Pradesh ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Nutrient Requirements ◽  
Nutrient Intakes ◽  
Local Markets ◽  
Behavior Change Communication ◽  
Change Communication ◽  
Macro And Micronutrients

Abstract Objectives Uttar Pradesh (UP) is the most populous state with the highest burden of undernutrition in India. Alive & Thrive is working to strengthen behavior change communication (BCC) on diet diversity and quantity, using health systems platforms to deliver maternal nutrition intervention. However, evidence on the accessibility and affordability associated with recommended diets is limited. This study aims to: 1) examine the costs of nutritious foods in local markets, 2) identify inexpensive sources of essential micronutrients which could be promoted through BCC interventions. Methods Data collection included 24 market surveys and 125 household interviews to obtain food prices and consumption patterns. Cost of Diet (CotD), a linear programing software, was used to estimate the lowest cost for meeting nutrient requirements of 4 types of diet: 1) energy only diet (EO), 2) energy and macronutrient diets (MAC); 3) nutritious diet (NUT-meets recommended intakes for energy and nutrients), and 4) a food habits diet (FHAB-meet energy and nutrient requirements based upon local dietary habits). The diets were compared to identify relative costs and nutrient requirements met. Results The FHAB diet (USD 90/month for a household of 6 people) was over twice as expensive compared to the energy only diet. EO and MAC diets were affordable for all households, but they indicated inadequate nutrient intakes for vitamins A, C, B-12, folic acid, calcium, and iron. NUT and FHAB diets met all nutrient requirements but were not affordable for the lowest quartile of households. Recommended intakes of Vitamins A, C, B12, and calcium were most difficult to meet. Key foods identified which provided majority of essential macro and micronutrients included wheat flour, buffalo milk, soybean, and spinach. Multiple sources of iron and calcium were identified as affordable and accessible in local markets. Conclusions Foods available in local market are sufficient for households to obtain recommended intakes of macro- and micronutrients. Economic constraints and dietary habits are key barriers to achieve a nutritious diet. Practical, habitual diet-related behavior change communication to middle and high-income households and additional social protection for poorer households could improve optimal nutrient intakes. Funding Sources Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through POSHAN, led by International Food Policy Research Institute.

scholarly journals Nutrient Adequacy at the Household Level and the Cost of Nutritious Diets in Malawi (P10-055-19)

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Schneider ◽  
William Masters
Keyword(s):  
Food Consumption ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Food Composition ◽  
Household Size ◽  
Household Composition ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Nutrient Requirements ◽  
Adequate Diet ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Nutrient Adequacy

Abstract Objectives Nutrient requirements are defined for individuals, but meals are often shared and food consumption is typically measured at the household level. Prior studies of nutrient adequacy using household data have estimated requirements in terms of adult equivalents. We introduced a nutrient-by-nutrient approach to capture differences in household composition, and used this measure to test whether a household's nutrient adequacy was associated with the market cost of nutritionally adequate diets. Methods We used panel data on food consumption from 1398 rural Malawian households from the Malawi Integrated Household Survey Panel with monthly prices for 53 foods at the nearest market. Both datasets are collected by the National Statistics Office (NSO), matched at the market-month level. We defined household nutrient needs as the highest density of each nutrient (quantity per kilocalorie) required by any household member over 6 months, summed over daily energy requirements for each individual in the household. From local prices and food composition data we calculated a least-cost, nutritionally adequate diet for the mean household, and computed its level at each location. From observed consumption and nutrient needs we calculated household nutrient adequacy ratios (HNARs) and mean adequacy ratios (HMAR), and tested their association with the local market cost of nutrient adequacy (CoNA), controlling for seasonality, volatility of diet cost, and household size. Results In each round of the survey, between 36% and 59% of households reached their nutrient requirements (HMAR = 1). We found no significant association with the level, seasonality or volatility in market costs, but found that greater household size is associated with lower odds of meeting nutrient adequacy. Conclusions Our novel approach recognizes food sharing at the household level, typical in developing countries, thereby advancing the potential to conduct nutrition-related analyses with existing household survey data. Our initial application found no association with market prices suggesting that other factors may be more important predictors of nutrient adequacy. Future analyses will investigate dietary patterns and cost of individual nutrients to further explain the odds of meeting household needs. Funding Sources Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation via the CANDASA project. Supporting Tables, Images and/or Graphs

scholarly journals Assessing the Potential of Wild Foods to Reduce the Cost of a Nutritionally Adequate Diet: An Example from Eastern Baringo District, Kenya

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 458-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Céline Termote ◽  
Jessica Raneri ◽  
Amy Deptford ◽  
Bruce Cogill
Keyword(s):  
Linear Programming ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Wild Food ◽  
Wild Foods ◽  
Adequate Diet ◽  
Nutrient Adequacy ◽  
Programming Tool ◽  
The Cost

Background Wild foods and their actual and potential contributions to nutrition security have rarely been studied or considered in nutrition and conservation programs. Objective To study the role of wild food biodiversity in achieving a cost reduction of a nutritionally adequate diet for women and young children in Kenya using linear programming. Methods An ethnobiological inventory of available food biodiversity was carried out by means of focus group discussions, and five wild foods were selected for further modeling. A market survey assessed available food prices by season. Diets were modeled to minimize cost and maximize nutrient adequacy using the Cost of Diet linear programming tool. Modeling was done without and with wild foods. Results The modeled diets without wild species were deficient in iron for all age groups during the dry season, deficient in vitamin B6 and calcium for infants aged 6 to 8 months during the dry season, and deficient in iron and zinc for infants aged 6 to 8 months over the whole year. Adding wild foods, especially Berchemia discolor, to the modeled diets resulted in a lower-cost diet, while meeting recommended iron intakes for women and children between 12 and 23 months of age. Even after integrating wild foods into the model, targeted approaches are needed to meet micronutrient requirements for infants from 6 to 8 and from 9 to 11 months of age. Conclusions An application of linear programming to screen available wild foods for meeting recommended nutrient intakes at a minimal cost was illustrated. This type of study helps to objectively assess the potential of biodiversity to contribute to diets and nutrition.

scholarly journals Early Impact of COVID-19 on Food Security and Livelihood in Vietnam

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 200-200
Author(s):  
Alec Aaron ◽  
Yunhee Kang ◽  
Anurima Baidya ◽  
Jun Wang ◽  
Christabel Chan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Availability ◽  
Market Access ◽  
Response Assessment ◽  
The Self ◽  
Essential Medicines ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Household Food Availability

Abstract Objectives On April 1, 2020, Vietnam initiated a three-week lockdown to curb the spread of COVID-19. Lockdowns like this have had severe economic and social repercussions that are not experienced uniformly. This study evaluates whether households reporting to be severely impacted differ from those reporting to be less affected in terms of household food availability, affordability, and market access. Methods Cross-sectional data were collected as part of a World Vision Rapid Response Assessment in Vietnam (n = 3431) in May 2020. Data on household demographics, employment, food availability, affordability, and market access were collected. Households reporting a perceived severe (full or severe) impact of the COVID-19 pandemic were compared to those reporting less (moderate, slight, or no) impact using multivariable logistic regressions. Results 19.2% of respondents indicated that the pandemic had severely impacted their livelihood. There was a higher percentage of females (56.4% vs. 45.6%; P < 0.001) and urban residents (25.3% vs. 8.6%; P < 0.001) in the severely impacted group. The groups differed significantly by type of employment prior to the pandemic, and a greater proportion of those who were severely impacted reported decreased income (85.4% vs. 39.9%). Both groups reported similar availabilities of staple food groups at the household-level, but the availability of green vegetables was lower in the severely affected group (OR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.38, 1.00) than in the less affected group. However, the adjusted odds ratios for local market access to hygiene items (OR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.13, 2.39) and essential medicines (OR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.29, 2.50) indicate higher odds of accessibility for those more impacted relative to the less impacted group. Conclusions There were relatively few differences identified between the groups. While the self-reported livelihood impact status generally aligned with a loss of income, the connection between this designation and the indicators of household food availability, affordability, and market access were not as strong. The self-determination of a severe economic impact may represent a relative change in the household's socioeconomic status from before the pandemic that is not indicative of current vulnerability. Funding Sources None

scholarly journals COVID-19-Related Changes in Perceived Household Food Waste in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 1104
Author(s):  
Kelly Cosgrove ◽  
Maricarmen Vizcaino ◽  
Christopher Wharton
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Food Waste ◽  
The United States ◽  
Food Groups ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Binomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Household Food ◽  
Fresh Vegetables

Food waste contributes to adverse environmental and economic outcomes, and substantial food waste occurs at the household level in the US. This study explored perceived household food waste changes during the COVID-19 pandemic and related factors. A total of 946 survey responses from primary household food purchasers were analyzed. Demographic, COVID-19-related household change, and household food waste data were collected in October 2020. Wilcoxon signed-rank was used to assess differences in perceived food waste. A hierarchical binomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine whether COVID-19-related lifestyle disruptions and food-related behavior changes increased the likelihood of household food waste. A binomial logistic regression was conducted to explore the contribution of different food groups to the likelihood of increased food waste. Perceived food waste, assessed as the estimated percent of food wasted, decreased significantly during the pandemic (z = −7.47, p < 0.001). Food stockpiling was identified as a predictor of increased overall food waste during the pandemic, and wasting fresh vegetables and frozen foods increased the odds of increased food waste. The results indicate the need to provide education and resources related to food stockpiling and the management of specific food groups during periods of disruption to reduce food waste.

Adhering to a Mediterranean diet in a Mediterranean country: an excess cost for families?

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Ricardo Alves ◽  
Carla Lopes ◽  
Sara Rodrigues ◽  
Julian Perelman
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Food Group ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
Mediterranean Country ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Diet Cost ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Activity Survey

Abstract Background: Adherence to the Mediterranean diet has been decreasing in southern Europe, which could be linked to several cultural or educational factors. Our aim is to evaluate the extent to which economic aspects may also play a role, exploring the relationship between food prices in Portugal and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Methods: We evaluated data from the Portuguese National Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Survey (IAN-AF 2015-2016) (n=3,591). Diet expenditures were estimated by attributing a retail price to each food group and the diet was transposed into the Mediterranean Diet Score used in the literature. Prices were gathered from five supermarket chains (65% of the Portuguese market share). Linear regression models were used to assess the association between different adherence levels to the MD levels and dietary costs. Results: Greater adherence to the MD was associated with a 21.2% (p< 0.05) rise in total dietary cost, which accounts for more 0.59€ in mean daily costs when compared with low adherence. High adherence individuals (vs. low adherence) had higher absolute mean daily costs with fish (0.62€/+285.8%; p< 0.05), fruits (0.26€/+115.8%; p< 0.05), and vegetables (0.10€/+100.9%; p< 0.05). The analysis stratified by education and income level showed significantly higher mean daily diet cost only amongst higher income groups. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that greater adherence to the MD was positively and significantly associated with higher total dietary cost. Policies to improve population’s diet should take into consideration the cost of healthy foods, especially for large low- and middle-income families.

scholarly journals Sustainable dietetic models in Europe: the Mediterranean diet as case study

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (Supplement_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
F Scazzina
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Diet ◽  
Food System ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Lifestyle Changes ◽  
Total Energy Consumption ◽  
Adequate Diet ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
The Cost

Abstract More than five years since the global commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, 690 million people lack sufficient food and economic projections suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic may add an additional 83 to 132 million people to the ranks of the undernourished. Meanwhile, 1.3 billion tons of food are wasted globally each year, utilizing 38% of total energy consumption in the global food system. Child and adult overweight and obesity are increasing in almost all countries, and on a global level the cost of a healthy diet is 60% higher than the cost of a nutrient adequate diet, and almost 5 times the cost of an energy sufficient diet. The Mediterranean Diet is one of the recognized models of healthy and sustainable diets. This model has proven to promote longevity and well-being, not only by considering specific food items and dietary patterns, but also taking into account the culture and the history of populations living in that region, as well as social aspects such as tradition and conviviality. Moreover, it is strongly tied to a gastronomic background that links health with enjoyment. This may be extremely important for the implementation of feasible programs for the prevention of chronic non communicable diseases. In fact, long lasting lifestyle changes are difficult to achieve and, although health motivations may lead to satisfactory dietary compliance in the short term, pleasure remains an important determinant of any dietary change that is intended to last. While keeping traditional dietary habits at European level, the main principles of the Mediterranean diet could be taken into account to identify key features that ensure both health benefits and sustainable impact on environment. Assessing the sustainability of these products can be an effective operational approach for preserving and promoting a Mediterranean-type dietary pattern in the European region.

Internal and external search strategies of innovative firms: the role of the target market

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 495-518 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillermo Ruiz-Pava ◽  
Clemente Forero-Pineda
Keyword(s):  
International Markets ◽  
Search Strategies ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Target Market ◽  
Local Markets ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovative Firms ◽  
External Sources ◽  
Internal Sources

Purpose This paper aims to develop the concept of internal search of ideas to show the contrast between search strategies adopted by firms that introduce new products into local and international markets. Design/methodology/approach Based on data from 2,652 innovative firms, the paper uses factor analysis to explore and confirm appropriate groups of sources of innovative ideas. The analysis differentiates between internal and two types of external sources. Logistic and bivariate regressions reveal different search strategies for innovation in local and international markets. Findings Firms reporting products new to international markets exhibit search strategies combining ideas from internal sources with ideas from other firms. Firms reporting products new to local market reveal a search strategy centered on ideas from other firms. Practical implications Managers and policymakers wishing to promote innovations for international markets should concentrate their resources on developing the organizations’ capacity to generate ideas internally while monitoring other firms’ ideas. Managers targeting local markets may focus their efforts on intelligence over ideas coming from other firms. Originality/value Clarifying the relationship between knowledge and ideas, the paper finds that search strategies of firms are more effective for innovation depending on the target market. Firms searching for ideas among other firms generate ideas that might trigger innovation in products new to local markets. Firms searching both for internal and external ideas generate ideas leading to products new to international markets.

scholarly journals The price-quality relationship of lint cotton in five local markets in southeast, Missouri, 1951-1953

1958 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Lennie G. Kizer
Keyword(s):  
Price Level ◽  
Local Market ◽  
Average Price ◽  
Local Markets ◽  
Economic Significance ◽  
Southeast Missouri ◽  
Relationship Of

"A purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of the various local markets in reflecting to cotton producers the average price level prevailing for cotton, and in reflecting central market premiums and discounts in accordance with variation in quality. Anther purpose will be to determine if hog-round buying, paying only one price for all qualities, is used to purchase the producer's products. In the event that cotton is not sold on the quality basis and hog-round buying prevails in the local market, the purpose is to resolve if this type of buying or buying based on quality gives the greatest advantage to the cotton producer. An additional purpose is to evaluate the economic significance of these practices and suggest possible improvements, if any are needed, in the marketing structure."--Page 1-2

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document