METHODS USED TO MEASURE PRICING AND AFFORDABILITY OF ‘HEALTHY’ FOODS IN AUSTRALIA AND ONE OTHER COUNTRY
INTRODUCTION
There is evidence that links food choice to food prices and affordability, this means that an individual’s dietary patterns is linked to his or her income (Lee et al. 2013). Brinkman et al. (2010) further explains that difference in food prices has greatly contributed to the global burden of overweight, obesity and an increase in non-communicable diseases (Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer).
Libsky (2009) and Andrieu et al. (2006) studies backs Brinkman et.al.(2010) and suggests that energy dense foods that contain fewer calories (processed foods and fast foods) are cheaper therefore people of low socioeconomic …show more content…
Also like Australia, NAMCSA uses the food basket but differs in that the South African food basket is based on monthly wages of a household not weekly as in Australia (NAMCSA 2016).
The main difference between South Africa and Australia is that South Africa has a regular monitoring system (quarterly and annual reports) and the data is nation-wide unlike Australia who have no national regular monitoring systems (NAMCSA 2016 and PHAA 2014).
Conclusion and Recommendation
Australia lacks a national system for monitoring healthy food prices however they have data from different states and territories (Lee et al. 2016). The healthy food basket is the most commonly used method for monitoring healthy food prices not only in Australia but South Africa as well (Ward et.al. 2012 and NAMCSA 2016).
I support the recommendation of the Public Health Association of Australia and Lee et.al. (2016) that Australia should establish a national standardised method for monitoring food prices (Lee et.al 2016a and PHAA
INTRODUCTION
There is evidence that links food choice to food prices and affordability, this means that an individual’s dietary patterns is linked to his or her income (Lee et al. 2013). Brinkman et al. (2010) further explains that difference in food prices has greatly contributed to the global burden of overweight, obesity and an increase in non-communicable diseases (Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer).
Libsky (2009) and Andrieu et al. (2006) studies backs Brinkman et.al.(2010) and suggests that energy dense foods that contain fewer calories (processed foods and fast foods) are cheaper therefore people of low socioeconomic …show more content…
Also like Australia, NAMCSA uses the food basket but differs in that the South African food basket is based on monthly wages of a household not weekly as in Australia (NAMCSA 2016).
The main difference between South Africa and Australia is that South Africa has a regular monitoring system (quarterly and annual reports) and the data is nation-wide unlike Australia who have no national regular monitoring systems (NAMCSA 2016 and PHAA 2014).
Conclusion and Recommendation
Australia lacks a national system for monitoring healthy food prices however they have data from different states and territories (Lee et al. 2016). The healthy food basket is the most commonly used method for monitoring healthy food prices not only in Australia but South Africa as well (Ward et.al. 2012 and NAMCSA 2016).
I support the recommendation of the Public Health Association of Australia and Lee et.al. (2016) that Australia should establish a national standardised method for monitoring food prices (Lee et.al 2016a and PHAA