Heron Carlos Esvael do Carmo

Income, food prices, and participation of fruit and vegetables in the diet

OBJECTIVE To analyze the influence of income and food prices on household consumption of fruit and vegetables. METHODS Data from the 1998/99 Household Budget Survey were analyzed, which was conducted by the Fundação Instituto de Pesquisas Econômicas (Institute for Economic Research Foundation) in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. The influence of income and food price on the relative participation of fruit and vegetables in the total household calorie intake was studied using regression analysis to estimate elasticity coefficients. RESULTS There was an increase in participation of fruit and vegetables in total household calorie purchases along with the recorded decrease in prices, increase in family income, and increase in prices of other foods. A one percent decrease in the price of fruit and vegetables would lead to a 0.2% increase in the participation of these items in the total calorie content; a 1% increase in the price of other foods would increase fruit and vegetable participation by 0.07%; and a 1% increase in family income would increase participation by 0.04%. The effect of the prices of other foods was less intense in higher income groups, and in the other two scenarios we were unable to identify consistent income-associated patterns. CONCLUSIONS A reduction in the price of fruit and vegetables, which can be achieved by means of public policies, could lead to an increase in fruit and vegetable intake in households in São Paulo and in other cities with similar scenarios.

Evolução dos preços relativos de grupos alimentares entre 1939 e 2010, em São Paulo, SP

OBJETIVO: Analizar la evolucion de los precios relativos de los grupos de productos alimenticios y su influencia en las politicas publicas para una alimentacion saludable. METODOS: Se analizaron datos del municipio de Sao Paulo de 1939 a 2010, a partir de la aplicacion de metodos de calculo de numeros-indices. Se utilizaron datos del banco de precios y estructuras de ponderacion de la Fundacion Instituto de Pesquisas Economicas (1939 a 1988) y del Instituto Brasileno de Geografia y Estadistica (1989 a 2010). El banco de precios fue organizado, su consistencia fue evaluada y los precios fueron deflacionados por el Indice de Precio al Consumidor. Los datos relativos a precios deflacionados fueron calculados y agregados por categorias y grupos alimenticios de la piramide alimenticia adaptada. Los indices de precios de cada grupo fueron construidos aplicando la formula de Laspeyres modificada. El indice general de precios de la alimentacion fue comparado con los indices de cada grupo alimenticio y respectiva categoria: alimentos in natura; alimentos industrializados; bebidas; carnes, leguminosas, leche y huevos; cereales y tuberculos y comidas ingeridas fuera del domicilio. RESULTADOS: Los grupos alimenticios de grasas, aceites, condimentos, azucares y alimentos procesados (alimentos industrializados) presentaron tendencia de reduccion de precios en terminos relativos. El indice de los alimentos in natura, como frutas y verduras, presentaron tendencia de elevacion de precios. Otros grupos alimenticios, como cereales, harinas y pastas, carnes, leche y huevos presentaron estabilidad de precios relativos a lo largo del tiempo. CONCLUSIONES: La evolucion de los precios relativos de los alimentos en el municipio de Sao Paulo muestra tendencia desfavorable para el mantenimiento de alimentacion saludable a nivel domiciliar a largo plazo.OBJECTIVE To analyze the evolution of relative prices of food groups and its influence on public healthy eating policies. METHODS Data from the municipality of Sao Paulo between 1939 and 2010 were analyzed based on calculating index numbers. Data from the Economic Researches Foundation Institute price database and weight structures (1939 to 1988) and from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (1989 to 2010) were used to. The price database was organized, its consistency tested and prices were deflated using the consumer price index. Relative prices were calculated and associated to food categories and groups, according to the food pyramid guide adapted for the Brazilian population. The price indices for each group were calculated according to Laspeyres modified formula. The general food price index was compared with the indices for each food group and respective category: fresh food, processed food, beverages, meat, legumes, milk and eggs, cereals and root vegetables and eating out. RESULTS Price indices for fat, oil, spices, sugars and sweets and processed food showed relative price reduction. Fresh food, such as fruit and vegetables, showed an increase in relative prices. Other food groups, such as cereals, flour and pasta, meat, milk and egg, showed a steadier long term trend in relative prices. CONCLUSIONS The evolution of relative prices of food in the city of Sao Paulo demonstrates a negative trend towards healthy eating at household level in the long run.

Evolution of the relative prices of food groups between 1939 and 2010 in the city of Sao Paulo, Southeastern Brazil

OBJETIVO: Analizar la evolucion de los precios relativos de los grupos de productos alimenticios y su influencia en las politicas publicas para una alimentacion saludable. METODOS: Se analizaron datos del municipio de Sao Paulo de 1939 a 2010, a partir de la aplicacion de metodos de calculo de numeros-indices. Se utilizaron datos del banco de precios y estructuras de ponderacion de la Fundacion Instituto de Pesquisas Economicas (1939 a 1988) y del Instituto Brasileno de Geografia y Estadistica (1989 a 2010). El banco de precios fue organizado, su consistencia fue evaluada y los precios fueron deflacionados por el Indice de Precio al Consumidor. Los datos relativos a precios deflacionados fueron calculados y agregados por categorias y grupos alimenticios de la piramide alimenticia adaptada. Los indices de precios de cada grupo fueron construidos aplicando la formula de Laspeyres modificada. El indice general de precios de la alimentacion fue comparado con los indices de cada grupo alimenticio y respectiva categoria: alimentos in natura; alimentos industrializados; bebidas; carnes, leguminosas, leche y huevos; cereales y tuberculos y comidas ingeridas fuera del domicilio. RESULTADOS: Los grupos alimenticios de grasas, aceites, condimentos, azucares y alimentos procesados (alimentos industrializados) presentaron tendencia de reduccion de precios en terminos relativos. El indice de los alimentos in natura, como frutas y verduras, presentaron tendencia de elevacion de precios. Otros grupos alimenticios, como cereales, harinas y pastas, carnes, leche y huevos presentaron estabilidad de precios relativos a lo largo del tiempo. CONCLUSIONES: La evolucion de los precios relativos de los alimentos en el municipio de Sao Paulo muestra tendencia desfavorable para el mantenimiento de alimentacion saludable a nivel domiciliar a largo plazo.OBJECTIVE To analyze the evolution of relative prices of food groups and its influence on public healthy eating policies. METHODS Data from the municipality of Sao Paulo between 1939 and 2010 were analyzed based on calculating index numbers. Data from the Economic Researches Foundation Institute price database and weight structures (1939 to 1988) and from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (1989 to 2010) were used to. The price database was organized, its consistency tested and prices were deflated using the consumer price index. Relative prices were calculated and associated to food categories and groups, according to the food pyramid guide adapted for the Brazilian population. The price indices for each group were calculated according to Laspeyres modified formula. The general food price index was compared with the indices for each food group and respective category: fresh food, processed food, beverages, meat, legumes, milk and eggs, cereals and root vegetables and eating out. RESULTS Price indices for fat, oil, spices, sugars and sweets and processed food showed relative price reduction. Fresh food, such as fruit and vegetables, showed an increase in relative prices. Other food groups, such as cereals, flour and pasta, meat, milk and egg, showed a steadier long term trend in relative prices. CONCLUSIONS The evolution of relative prices of food in the city of Sao Paulo demonstrates a negative trend towards healthy eating at household level in the long run.

Evolución de los precios relativos de grupos alimenticios entre 1939 y 2010, en Sao Paulo, SP, Brasil

OBJETIVO: Analizar la evolucion de los precios relativos de los grupos de productos alimenticios y su influencia en las politicas publicas para una alimentacion saludable. METODOS: Se analizaron datos del municipio de Sao Paulo de 1939 a 2010, a partir de la aplicacion de metodos de calculo de numeros-indices. Se utilizaron datos del banco de precios y estructuras de ponderacion de la Fundacion Instituto de Pesquisas Economicas (1939 a 1988) y del Instituto Brasileno de Geografia y Estadistica (1989 a 2010). El banco de precios fue organizado, su consistencia fue evaluada y los precios fueron deflacionados por el Indice de Precio al Consumidor. Los datos relativos a precios deflacionados fueron calculados y agregados por categorias y grupos alimenticios de la piramide alimenticia adaptada. Los indices de precios de cada grupo fueron construidos aplicando la formula de Laspeyres modificada. El indice general de precios de la alimentacion fue comparado con los indices de cada grupo alimenticio y respectiva categoria: alimentos in natura; alimentos industrializados; bebidas; carnes, leguminosas, leche y huevos; cereales y tuberculos y comidas ingeridas fuera del domicilio. RESULTADOS: Los grupos alimenticios de grasas, aceites, condimentos, azucares y alimentos procesados (alimentos industrializados) presentaron tendencia de reduccion de precios en terminos relativos. El indice de los alimentos in natura, como frutas y verduras, presentaron tendencia de elevacion de precios. Otros grupos alimenticios, como cereales, harinas y pastas, carnes, leche y huevos presentaron estabilidad de precios relativos a lo largo del tiempo. CONCLUSIONES: La evolucion de los precios relativos de los alimentos en el municipio de Sao Paulo muestra tendencia desfavorable para el mantenimiento de alimentacion saludable a nivel domiciliar a largo plazo.OBJECTIVE To analyze the evolution of relative prices of food groups and its influence on public healthy eating policies. METHODS Data from the municipality of Sao Paulo between 1939 and 2010 were analyzed based on calculating index numbers. Data from the Economic Researches Foundation Institute price database and weight structures (1939 to 1988) and from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (1989 to 2010) were used to. The price database was organized, its consistency tested and prices were deflated using the consumer price index. Relative prices were calculated and associated to food categories and groups, according to the food pyramid guide adapted for the Brazilian population. The price indices for each group were calculated according to Laspeyres modified formula. The general food price index was compared with the indices for each food group and respective category: fresh food, processed food, beverages, meat, legumes, milk and eggs, cereals and root vegetables and eating out. RESULTS Price indices for fat, oil, spices, sugars and sweets and processed food showed relative price reduction. Fresh food, such as fruit and vegetables, showed an increase in relative prices. Other food groups, such as cereals, flour and pasta, meat, milk and egg, showed a steadier long term trend in relative prices. CONCLUSIONS The evolution of relative prices of food in the city of Sao Paulo demonstrates a negative trend towards healthy eating at household level in the long run.