College
College of Business
Department
Economics
Abstract
Previous research has shown that nutrient dense, low-calorie foods are bought at higher rates by those with higher incomes. 1 These types of studies have engulfed common knowledge on healthy diet affordability. However, a recent study of the Mechoopda Indian Tribe of Chico, California, found a healthy diet filled with popular foods can be afforded by all members of the community.2 By focusing on healthy foods people want to eat and their localized affordability, research applicability in policy clearly increases. This study uses a framework similar to the California study while tweaking a few aspects to better suit a more regional research effort. Aside from being conducted in Huntsville, Alabama, the National Institutes of Health's (NIH) healthy southern diet was used as a framework, price data was collected online as opposed to in-store, and the study was conducted during COVID-19. The data collected suggests that a healthy Southern diet is realistically affordable. Since some calculations required its usage, the cost analysis can also be used for policy guidance on future Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit apportionment.
Recommended Citation
Knighten, Nicholas
(2022)
"Healthy Diet Affordability in North Alabama During COVID-19,"
Perpetua: The UAH Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 6:
Iss.
1, Article 3.
Available at:
https://louis.uah.edu/perpetua/vol6/iss1/3