| Title: |
Food Policy and Chronic Disease in the Caribbean. |
| Authors: |
HENRY, FITZROY; CAINES, DEONNE; EYRE, SHEERIN |
| Source: |
Journal of Arts Science & Technology; Nov2018, Vol. 11 Issue 2, p38-51, 14p |
| Subject Terms: |
CHRONIC diseases; NUTRITION policy; FOOD security |
| Abstract: |
The spiraling increase in obesity and chronic diseases in the Caribbean coupled with the rapid food trade through unbridled globalization suggests that the implementation of food and nutrition security policies in the Region must proceed with much urgency. Focus must be on creating incentives which will allow more healthy foods to be grown in the Region. This paper identifies the priority foods which should be made more available and accessible so that nutrition-related chronic diseases can be controlled. Rather than merely comparing high and low energy dense foods, this paper also included type of fat, vitamin, mineral, phytochemical and fibre content of foods in classifying them as healthy and less healthy. The costs of 158 foods commodities in relation to their classical and superfood rank were analyzed. The study found that among the commonly consumed foods in Jamaica healthy options cost J$88 more than less healthy ones. The cheapest daily cost of a nutritionally balanced diet in Jamaica varied considerably by parish but was on average J$269. For a family of three this translated approximately to the total minimum wage per week J$5,600 -- which is highly unsustainable. The paper concludes by highlighting the challenges of introducing incentives and disincentives in the food system to combat obesity and chronic diseases particularly among the poor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| : |
Copyright of Journal of Arts Science & Technology is the property of University of Technology, Jamaica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| Database: |
Complementary Index |