Region
A recent study has shown that the cost of a healthy diet in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region is much higher than what is considered affordable for the majority of the population. The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Johannesburg and the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, looked at the cost of a healthy diet for adults and children in six SADC countries (Botswana, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, and South Africa).
The research found that the cost of a healthy diet for an adult in the SADC region is about US$2.50 per day, while the cost of a healthy diet for a child is about US$1.50 per day. The study authors say that these costs are out of reach for the majority of the population in the region, who live on less than US$2 per day.
The study used the ‘thin ideal’ body mass index (BMI) as a measure of a healthy weight, and found that the cost of a healthy diet was highest in Mauritius (US$3.01 per day), followed by South Africa (US$2.71 per day), Namibia (US$2.51 per day), Botswana (US$2.49 per day), Lesotho (US$2.36 per day) and Mozambique (US$1.50 per day).
The study authors say that the high cost of a healthy diet in the region is due to a number of factors, including the high cost of fresh fruits and vegetables, which make up a large proportion of a healthy diet. They also say that the high cost of living in the region, coupled with low incomes, makes it difficult for people to afford a healthy diet.
The study authors say that the findings have important implications for public health in the SADC region. They say that there is a need for interventions to make healthy foods more affordable, and to improve access to them. They also call for more research on the cost of a healthy diet in different parts of the world, to help inform policy decisions on how to make healthy diets more affordable.
It is no secret that leading a healthy lifestyle is not always cheap. From organic groceries to gym memberships, the cost of being healthy can add up quickly. However, a new study has found that the cost of a healthy diet in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is actually much lower than previously thought.
According to the study, which was conducted by the Public Health Nutrition unit of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, the cost of a healthy diet in the SADC region is only $1.50 (US) per person per day. This is significantly lower than the $2.50 (US) per day that was previously estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The study also found that the cost of an unhealthy diet in the SADC region is actually higher than previously thought. The cost of an unhealthy diet rich in processed and sugary foods was found to be $2.10 (US) per person per day.
The affordability of a healthy diet is an important factor in determining whether or not people will be able to lead healthy lives. This new study provides valuable information that can help policy-makers in the SADC region to develop strategies to make healthy foods more affordable for all.
