Derek Headey|Harold Alderman
The Relative Caloric Prices of Healthy and Unhealthy Foods Differ Systematically across Income Levels and Continents
International Food Policy Research Institute|International Food Policy Research Institute
relative prices healthyunhealthy foods implicated obesity epidemic never extensively quantified across countries empirically linked undernutritionthis study compared relative caloric prices rcps different food categories across 176 countries ascertained associations dietary indicators nutrition outcomeswe converted prices 657 standardized food products 2011 international comparison program caloric prices using usda food composition tables classified products 21 specific food groups constructed rcps ratio 3 cheapest products food group relative weighted cost basket starchy staples analyzed rcp differences across world bank income levels regions used crosscountry regressions explore associations demographic health survey dietary indicators women 1549 old children 1223 mo old indicators under5 stunting prevalence adult overweight prevalencemost noncereal foods relatively cheap highincome countries including sugar fatrich foods lowerincome countries healthy foods generally expensive especially animalsourced foods fortified infant cereals fics higher rcps food predict lower consumption among children 7 9 food groups higher milk fic prices positively associated international child stunting patterns 1sd increase milk prices associated 28 percentage point increase stunting prevalence similarly 1sd increase soft drink prices associated reduction overweight prevalence 36 percentage pointsrelative food prices vary systematically across countries partially explain international differences prevalences undernutrition overweight adults future research focus alter relative prices achieve better dietary nutrition outcomes