The cost and affordability of growing and feeding a baby in Nova Scotia.
Can J Public Health
; 111(4): 531-542, 2020 08.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32162282
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
This paper examines the affordability of a basic nutritious diet for low-income families in Nova Scotia over three developmental periods (pregnancy, perinatal, early infancy) using economic simulations that include food costing and secondary data.METHODS:
The cost of a nutritious food basket was determined from a random sample of grocery stores in Nova Scotia (n = 21), along with the cost of infant formula (n = 29) and prenatal vitamins and vitamin D drops (n = 15), from randomly selected pharmacies. The monthly funds remaining to purchase a basic nutritious diet were calculated for several household scenarios, after deducting essential living expenses from net incomes. Each scenario included either a pregnant woman or a breastfed or formula-fed infant at 3 months, and either Income Assistance, Federal Maternity Benefits based on minimum wage employment, or a $15/h wage.RESULTS:
Income Assistance and Federal Maternity Benefits, based on minimum wage, were inadequate to purchase a basic nutritious diet during pregnancy or in early infancy whether breastfeeding or formula feeding. All household scenarios faced significant potential monthly deficits if they were to purchase a basic nutritious diet.CONCLUSION:
Minimum wage and income security programs are inadequate for the purchase of a basic nutritious diet throughout the prenatal, perinatal, and early infancy periods in Nova Scotia, emphasizing risk of food insecurity as a critical issue for young families facing income constraints. Adequate maternity protection is required to support access to food and nutrition essential for maternal and infant health.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Alimentos
Tipo de estudo:
Health_economic_evaluation
Limite:
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant
/
Pregnancy
País como assunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2020
Tipo de documento:
Article