Do low-income Cypriots experience food stress? The cost of a healthy food basket relative to guaranteed minimum income in Nicosia, Cyprus

Aim The aim of the present study was to assess the cost, acceptability and affordability of the healthy food basket (HFB) among low-income families in Cyprus. Methods HFBs were constructed based on the National Guidelines for Nutrition and Exercise for six different types of households. Acceptability was tested through focus groups. Affordability was defined as the cost of the HFB as a percentage of the guaranteed minimum income (GMI). The value of the GMI is set to be equal to €480 for a single individual and increases with the size of the recipient unit in accordance with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development equivalence scales. The Ministry of Labour estimates that, on average, nearly 50% of the GMI is required for food. Results The total monthly budget for HFB is 0.80, 1.11, 1.27, 1.28, 1.44 and 1.48 times higher than the GMI budget for food among different types of households in Cyprus (a single woman, a single man, a couple, a single woman with two children, a single man with two children and a couple with two children, respectively). In particular, a family with two children on GMI would need to spend a large proportion of their income on the HFB (71.68%). Conclusions The GMI scheme appears not to consider the cost of healthy food, and thus, families on welfare payments in Cyprus are at a high risk of experiencing food stress. Therefore, additional research is required to measure the cost of the six HFBs in various settings

Social participation and diabetes control in Cypriot adults A cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE To examine the association between dietary behavior, social engagement and participation, and diabetes control among Cypriot adults with diabetes mellitus (DM). METHOD Adults aged between 18 and 75 years, diagnosed with DM, type 1 or type 2, were eligible for inclusion in the study. A questionnaire on general sociodemographic data, and health, nutritional and social factors was administered. The primary outcome was diabetes control as assessed by the mean fasting glucose (FG) levels of the last 3 months. RESULTS The sample consisted of 297 adults (59% men and 41% women), with an average age of 60.9 years (range 19–73 years), most of whom were married with children. More than half of the participants (61.6%) had mean FG levels above the normal levels (i.e. >126 mg/dL). Increased age was associated with a 0.8% lower risk of uncontrolled DM (p<0.05). Higher income was associated with a 3.8% lower risk (p<0.05), and increased exercise with a 3% lower risk (p<0.05) of uncontrolled DM. Higher frequency of going out for food was associated with a 5.5% higher risk of uncontrolled DM (p<0.05). With regard to personal beliefs, believing that DM affects social participation was associated with a 5.8% higher risk (p[removed

Do low-income Cypriots experience food stress? The cost of a healthy food basket relative to guaranteed minimum income in Nicosia, Cyprus

Aim The aim of the present study was to assess the cost, acceptability and affordability of the healthy food basket (HFB) among low-income families in Cyprus. Methods HFBs were constructed based on the National Guidelines for Nutrition and Exercise for six different types of households. Acceptability was tested through focus groups. Affordability was defined as the cost of the HFB as a percentage of the guaranteed minimum income (GMI). The value of the GMI is set to be equal to €480 for a single individual and increases with the size of the recipient unit in accordance with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development equivalence scales. The Ministry of Labour estimates that, on average, nearly 50% of the GMI is required for food. Results The total monthly budget for HFB is 0.80, 1.11, 1.27, 1.28, 1.44 and 1.48 times higher than the GMI budget for food among different types of households in Cyprus (a single woman, a single man, a couple, a single woman with two children, a single man with two children and a couple with two children, respectively). In particular, a family with two children on GMI would need to spend a large proportion of their income on the HFB (71.68%). Conclusions The GMI scheme appears not to consider the cost of healthy food, and thus, families on welfare payments in Cyprus are at a high risk of experiencing food stress. Therefore, additional research is required to measure the cost of the six HFBs in various settings

The development of the gluten free healthy food basket in Cyprus. Is it affordable among low-income adults diagnosed with celiac disease?

Background: Gluten free (GF) diets are not only restrictive but also costly. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptability, cost and affordability of a Gluten Free Healthy Food Basket (GFHFB) and further examine whether low-income Cypriots diagnosed with celiac disease (CD) experience food stress. Methods: GFHFBs were constructed for adult women and adult men (±40 years) diagnosed with CD. Feasibility and acceptability was tested through three focus groups. Affordability was defined as the cost of the GFHFB as a percentage of the Guaranteed Minimum Income (GMI). Results: The GFHFB was 33.6 and 47 euros/month more expensive compared to the HB (Healthy Basket) for women and men, respectively. The total budget for GF-manufactured products were 27.81 and 28.5% of the total food budget, for women and men, respectively. For low-income people receiving the GMI, the proportion of income that would need to be spent on the GFHFB ranges from around 42 to 60%. Conclusions: The GFHFB is costly and not affordable among low-income Cypriots diagnosed with CD; thus, they are likely to suffer from food stress. As such, the risk of reducing their adherence to a GF diet is high and thus compromises their long-term health

The development of the gluten free healthy food basket in Cyprus. Is it affordable among low-income adults diagnosed with celiac disease?

Background: Gluten free (GF) diets are not only restrictive but also costly. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the acceptability, cost and affordability of a Gluten Free Healthy Food Basket (GFHFB) and further examine whether low-income Cypriots diagnosed with celiac disease (CD) experience food stress. Methods: GFHFBs were constructed for adult women and adult men (±40 years) diagnosed with CD. Feasibility and acceptability was tested through three focus groups. Affordability was defined as the cost of the GFHFB as a percentage of the Guaranteed Minimum Income (GMI). Results: The GFHFB was 33.6 and 47 euros/month more expensive compared to the HB (Healthy Basket) for women and men, respectively. The total budget for GF-manufactured products were 27.81 and 28.5% of the total food budget, for women and men, respectively. For low-income people receiving the GMI, the proportion of income that would need to be spent on the GFHFB ranges from around 42 to 60%. Conclusions: The GFHFB is costly and not affordable among low-income Cypriots diagnosed with CD; thus, they are likely to suffer from food stress. As such, the risk of reducing their adherence to a GF diet is high and thus compromises their long-term health

The effect of chronic disease on food stress among the low-income polulations in Cyprus

Background Food stress can be defined as the product of the cost of healthy food relative to the income of the household and occurs when households spend 30% or more of their income on food costs. Objectives To examine the effect of chronic disease on food stress among low-income population in Cyprus. Methods Three Food Baskets were developed for two different types of households (men and women). Healthy Food Baskets (HFB) were constructed based on the National Guidelines for Nutrition and Exercise. The Gluten Free Healthy Food Baskets (GFHFB) were based on the HFB and all products containing gluten were replaced with gluten free products. The Diabetic Healthy Food Baskets (DHFB) were based on the HFB and the guidelines of the American Diabetes Association (ADA). Affordability was defined as the cost of each basket as a percentage of the Guaranteed Minimum Income (GMI). The value of the GMI is set to be equal to C¼ 480 for a single individual and increases with the size of the recipient unit accordance to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development equivalence scales. Results The monthly cost of the HFB for a man is 258.8 euros and for a woman is 187.1 euros. Also, a healthy man on GMI would need to spend 53.9% of his income on the HFB whereas the relative percentage for a healthy woman is to equal to 39%. The monthly cost of the GFHFB is about 16% (47 euros) and about 17% (33.6 euros) more expensive compared to the HFB for man and woman, respectively. Adults with celiac disease receiving GMI would need to spend 59.5% and 41.9% of their income on the GFHFB (man and woman, respectively). Moreover, the total monthly budget for a diabetic man is 16% (37.6 euros less) lower compared to the HFB and the relative percentage for the diabetic woman is about 15% (25.7 euros less). Moreover, for low-income adults with diabetes the proportion of income that would need to be spent on the DHFB is 50.1% and 35% for man and woman, respectively. Conclusion The HFB, the GFHFB and the DHFB are characterized by low affordability causing food stress among the low-income population in Cyprus. Notably, healthy and nonhealthy men seem to experience higher level of food stress compared to women. Moreover, results of the current study indicate that the occurrence of a chronic disease has a different impact on food stres

Developing a food basket for fulfilling physical and non-physical needs in Cyprus. Is it affordable?

Background: An acceptable and affordable food basket (FB) is necessary to meet not only physical (healthy) needs but also the non-physical needs of individuals and communities. Methods: FBs were developed based on the Cypriot national food-based dietary guidelines for six types of household: single woman (±40 years), single man (±40 years), a couple (±40 years) without children, single woman (±40 years) with two children (10-year-old boy and 14-year-old girl), single man (±40 years) with two children and a couple (±40 years) with two children. Non-physical needs (kitchen equipment, physical activity and other related functions of food) were added to the baskets. The cost, acceptability and feasibility of FB were examined through the focus group discussions. Affordability was defined as the cost of the each basket as a percentage of household income (Guaranteed Minimum Income [GMI]). Results: The budget for healthy food has the highest proportion in the total food budget (83-89%) compared with the other components. The part of the budget required for other functions of food is small compared with that of healthy food and ranged between 4.7 and 6.7% of the total monthly budget. For low-income families, the proportion of income that needs to be spent on the FB for physical needs and FB for physical and non-physical needs ranged from around 39 to 72% and 47 to 81%, respectively. Conclusions: The FB fulfilling physical and non-physical needs is not affordable among the low-income families (mainly with children) receiving the GMI scheme in Cyprus

Developing a food basket for fulfilling physical and non-physical needs in Cyprus. Is it affordable?

Background: An acceptable and affordable food basket (FB) is necessary to meet not only physical (healthy) needs but also the non-physical needs of individuals and communities. Methods: FBs were developed based on the Cypriot national food-based dietary guidelines for six types of household: single woman (±40 years), single man (±40 years), a couple (±40 years) without children, single woman (±40 years) with two children (10-year-old boy and 14-year-old girl), single man (±40 years) with two children and a couple (±40 years) with two children. Non-physical needs (kitchen equipment, physical activity and other related functions of food) were added to the baskets. The cost, acceptability and feasibility of FB were examined through the focus group discussions. Affordability was defined as the cost of the each basket as a percentage of household income (Guaranteed Minimum Income [GMI]). Results: The budget for healthy food has the highest proportion in the total food budget (83-89%) compared with the other components. The part of the budget required for other functions of food is small compared with that of healthy food and ranged between 4.7 and 6.7% of the total monthly budget. For low-income families, the proportion of income that needs to be spent on the FB for physical needs and FB for physical and non-physical needs ranged from around 39 to 72% and 47 to 81%, respectively. Conclusions: The FB fulfilling physical and non-physical needs is not affordable among the low-income families (mainly with children) receiving the GMI scheme in Cyprus