Report Broken Link

The cost of healthy eating for pregnant and breasfeeding women in Otago

Abstract:

Having access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food is important for all New Zealanders, but it assumes an even greater importance for women when they are pregnant or breastfeeding. There are a number of barriers to accessing a healthy diet; these include cost, availability and affordability within the family budget. The aim of this investigation was to determine whether or not the recommended nutritional guidelines for pregnant and breastfeeding women set out by the New Zealand Ministry of Health (MOH) are realistically affordable for women in today’s economic climate. Using the Ministry of Health guidelines for healthy eating in pregnancy and breastfeeding sample menus (MOH, 2008) a shopping list was developed and priced at three Dunedin Supermarkets and one rural Otago general store. The final costs were compared to the University of Otago (Department of Human Nutrition, 2008) estimated food costs for adult Dunedin women to determine whether the guidelines are realistic and affordable. In addition the number of foods available for purchase in each location provided data on the accessibility of the food. The cost of purchasing the food in all locations was prohibitive when compared to the University of Otago estimated costs and only 65% of the food items were available for purchase in the rural location. The cost was also expensive when compared to household estimated expenditure by Statistics New Zealand (2008). This study provides information for midwives and other health professionals working with women during pregnancy and breastfeeding about the affordability of healthy eating. There is a challenge to consider the food and nutrition guidelines in the relation to the individual circumstances of the woman. Of further concern is the difficulty for woman in rural locations to have access to the foods recommended in the sample menus from the Ministry of Health. Further research is required into the actual barrier to health, particularly during pregnancy and breastfeeding, so that guidelines can be met. From this research it can be recommended that the MOH, dieticians and midwives collaborate to produce a more realistic sample menu.

 view online article View Document

barriers to accessing healthy diet, healthy eating during pregnancy and breastfeeding, Nutritional guidelines