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Project

Improving diet quality through food affordability and accessibility in Argentina
 

Argentina
Project ID
108643
Total Funding
CAD 778,600.00
IDRC Officer
Madiha Ahmed
Project Status
Active
Duration
30 months

Programs and partnerships

Lead institution(s)

Project leader:
Daniel Maceira
Argentina

Summary

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the cause of one-third of deaths in Argentina. An unhealthy diet is a major contributor to CVD and the related rapidly increasing incidence of obesity and diabetes in the country.Read more

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the cause of one-third of deaths in Argentina. An unhealthy diet is a major contributor to CVD and the related rapidly increasing incidence of obesity and diabetes in the country. However, there is not enough information about the extent to which people from different socio-economic groups have access to healthy foods. This project proposes to improve understanding of the factors that affect food purchasing, and specifically how the food environment is affecting accessibility and affordability of healthy food among different social groups.

Implemented by the Buenos Aires-based Centro de Estudios de Estado y Sociedad, this project will generate knowledge on the different factors that affect diet quality in Argentina, focusing on price, consumer preference, and food retail structure, including the availability of healthy foods. The team will use a mix of econometric modelling (for tax analysis and consumption demand modelling), statistical analyses (tracking relative price changes), and an environmental study (to describe household behavioural patterns). The project will also describe policy options and a regulatory framework for municipal and national-level actions that would support healthier diets. It will address how gender disparities and socio-economic differences in food purchasing can be reduced. The project will also strengthen local and national capacity to assess food environments and the policies that influence them in order to promote healthy eating and NCD prevention.