Global food expenditure patterns diverge between low-income and high-income countries.
Nat Food
; 5(7): 592-602, 2024 Jul.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39030255
ABSTRACT
Globalization, income growth and changing cultural trends are believed to prompt consumers in low-income countries to adopt the more affluent diet of high-income countries. This study investigates the convergence of food expenditure patterns worldwide, focusing on total food expenditure, raw food categories and ultra-processed foods and beverages across more than 90 countries over the past decades. Contrary to prior belief, we find that food expenditure patterns of lower-income countries do not universally align with those of higher-income nations. This trend is evident across most raw food categories and ultra-processed foods and beverages, as the income level of a country continues to play a crucial role in determining its food expenditure patterns. Importantly, expenditure patterns offer estimates rather than a precise idea of dietary intake, reflecting consumer choices shaped by economic constraints rather than exact dietary consumption.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Developed Countries
/
Developing Countries
/
Food
/
Income
Limits:
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Nat Food
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
China