Cost and affordability of a nutritious diet as a barrier to a healthy food in Argentinian regions

Abstract

 INTRODUCTION: Low nutritional quality diets are a major risk factor for NCDs, the leading cause of death worldwide. Food cost and affordability have been emphasized as factors influencing consumption decisions. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the cost and affordability of the common diet (CD) and healthy diet (HD) for the Argentine population, and the differences according to regions of the country. METHODS: Descriptive, cross-sectional analysis, based on the design of diets for the Argentine population and the calculation of their cost and affordability in 2020. Food prices were obtained from the National Government’s Precios Claros website. RESULTS: HDs are more expensive than CH in all regions, and the gap reached its maximum value in the North Eastern Region (NER) (HD between 33.9%-23.9% more expensive than CD) and the minimum in Patagonia Region (HD between 28.8%-19.1% more expensive). In terms of affordability, the differences between regions were more relevant, given the great variability in income. In NER, a higher percentage of income is required to buy the diets, while in Patagonia the lowest percentages are required. DISCUSSION: The study showed that healthier diets are more expensive and less affordable for all Argentine population, a situation that is even more worrying in the northern region of the country, where the affordability of diets is lower.