Affordability of Food and Beverages in Mexico between 1994 and 2016

Colchero, M. Arantxa; Guerrero-López, Carlos Manuel; Molina, Mariana; Unar‐Munguía, Mishel

doi:10.3390/nu11010078

Cited by 20 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…All these exposures from the retail food environment encourage overconsumption, leading to obesity for many [ 38 ]. Acquiring low-nutrient-dense foods that are also calorie-dense has become more accessible and affordable in Mexico [ 24 , 40 ], whilst healthy food is more expensive [ 41 ]. In 2012, the population in Mexico consumed a mean of 163 L of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) per person annually, equivalent to 0.5 L/day [ 42 , 43 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The retail food environment and its association with body mass index in Mexico

et al. 2021

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Background/Objective Mexico has one of the highest rates of obesity and overweight worldwide, affecting 75% of the population. The country has experienced a dietary and food retail transition involving increased availability of high-calorie-dense foods and beverages. This study aimed to assess the relationship between the retail food environment and body mass index (BMI) in Mexico. Subjects/Methods Geographical and food outlet data were obtained from official statistics; anthropometric measurements and socioeconomic characteristics of adult participants (N = 22,219) came from the nationally representative 2012 National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT). Densities (store count/census tract area (CTA)) of convenience stores, restaurants, fast-food restaurants, supermarkets and fruit and vegetable stores were calculated. The association of retail food environment variables, sociodemographic data and BMI was tested using multilevel linear regression models. Results Convenience store density was high (mean (SD) = 50.0 (36.9)/CTA) compared with other food outlets in Mexico. A unit increase in density of convenience stores was associated with a 0.003 kg/m2 (95% CI: 0.0006, 0.005, p = 0.011) increase in BMI, equivalent to 0.34 kg extra weight for an adult 1.60 m tall for every additional 10% store density increase (number of convenience stores per CTA (km2)). Metropolitan areas showed the highest density of food outlet concentration and the highest associations with BMI (β = 0.01, 95% CI: 0.004–0.01, p < 0.001). A 10% store density increase in these areas would represent a 1 kg increase in weight for an adult 1.60 m tall. Conclusions Convenience store density was associated with higher mean BMI in Mexican adults. An excessive convenience store availability, that offers unhealthy food options, coupled with low access to healthy food resources or stores retailing healthy food, including fruits and vegetables, may increase the risk of higher BMI. This is the first study to assess the association of the retail food environment and BMI at a national level in Mexico.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The retail food environment and its association with body mass index in Mexico

et al. 2021

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“…Although this is true for the entire population [ 11 ], there is strong evidence that people with lower socioeconomic status in Argentina consume significantly less fruit, vegetables and dairy and higher amounts of soft drinks and confectionery as compared to the rest of the population [ 12 ]. Despite the unquestionable importance of this information to advocate for effective public health policies targeting environmental determinants of excess weight, evidence on the differential price and affordability of healthier diets is very limited in Latin America with a few notable exceptions [ 13 – 15 ]. This study aimed to bridge this information gap in Argentina by estimating the cost differential and affordability of the current diet vs. healthy diets as of 2018, using the data collection and analysis approach proposed by the International Network for Food and Obesity/non-communicable diseases Research, Monitoring and Action Support (INFORMAS) [ 16 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Measuring cost and affordability of current vs. healthy diets in Argentina: an application of linear programming and the INFORMAS protocol

Giacobone¹,

Tiscornia²,

Guarnieri³

et al. 2021

BMC Public Health

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Background Food cost and affordability is one of the main barriers to improve the nutritional quality of diets of the population. However, in Argentina, where over 60% of adults and 40% of children and adolescents are overweight or obese, little is known about the difference in cost and affordability of healthier diets compared to ordinary, less healthy ones. Methods We implemented the “optimal approach” proposed by the International Network for Food and Obesity/non-communicable diseases Research, Monitoring and Action Support (INFORMAS). We modelled the current diet and two types of healthy diets, one equal in energy with the current diet and one 6.3% lower in energy by linear programming. Cost estimations were performed by collecting food product prices and running a Monte Carlo simulation (10,000 iterations) to obtain a range of costs for each model diet. Affordability was measured as the percentage contribution of diet cost vs. average household income in average, poor and extremely poor households and by income deciles. Results On average, households must spend 32% more money on food to ensure equal energy intake from a healthy diet than from a current model diet. When the energy intake target was reduced by 6.3%, the difference in cost was 22%. There are no reasonably likely situations in which any of these healthy diets could cost less or the same than the current unhealthier one. Over 50% of households would be unable to afford the modelled healthy diets, while 40% could not afford the current diet. Conclusions Differential cost and affordability of healthy vs. unhealthy diets are germane to the design of effective public policies to reduce obesity and NCDs in Argentina. It is necessary to implement urgent measures to transform the obesogenic environment, making healthier products more affordable, available and desirable, and discouraging consumption of nutrient-poor, energy-rich foods.

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“…This transition towards more westernized diets (Popkin 1997) is driven by multiple variables such as food availability and supply, time needed to purchase and cook food, or affordability (Popkin and Gordon-Larsen 2004). In Mexico, Colchero et al (2019) found that energy-dense, industrialized foods with lower nutrient quality were economically more accessible than healthier foods such as fresh produce, especially for lower-income population. Researchers in Mexico have been monitoring this transition because of concerns of the impact of the dietary change on public health.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How dietary transition changed land use in Mexico

Tello

Garcillán

Ezcurra

2020

Ambio

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The nutrition transition towards western diets in developing countries occurs at multiple levels, impacting health and society and also the environment. In Mexico, the shift in food consumption and production patterns, particularly in relation to animal source foods (ASF), has changed land use. We studied the consumption and production of ASF and change in agricultural land use in Mexico during the second half of the twentieth century and until 2013; using domestic and international data sources, our findings show an increasing proportion of farmed area devoted to the production of feed crops domestically, and also an increasing demand of farmed feed beyond national borders. We discuss how the intensification of livestock production is associated to major environmental threats and suggest that opportunities are available for sustainable and healthy food options.

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Affordability of Food and Beverages in Mexico between 1994 and 2016

Cited by 20 publications

References 38 publications

The retail food environment and its association with body mass index in Mexico

The retail food environment and its association with body mass index in Mexico

Measuring cost and affordability of current vs. healthy diets in Argentina: an application of linear programming and the INFORMAS protocol

How dietary transition changed land use in Mexico

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