Abstract
Objective
This study assessed the affordability of a basic nutritious diet for selected household types relying on Income Assistance (IA) by comparing potential incomes to the costs of the National Nutritious Food Basket (NNFB) and other essential expenditures in Nova Scotia from 2002 to 201 0, and examined the adequacy of IA allowances during this time period.
Method
The cost of the NNFB was surveyed across a random sample of grocery stores in NS during five time periods: 2002, 2004/05, 2007, 2008 and 2010, and was factored into affordability scenarios for three household types relying on IA: a family of four, a lone mother with three children, and a lone male. Essential monthly expenses were deducted from total net income to determine if adequate funds remained for the NNFB. Results: For each time period examined, the findings demonstrated that all household types faced a significant monthly deficit if they purchased a basic nutritious diet. In each household scenario, the potential monthly deficits increased from 2002 to 2010, ranging from $112 in 2002 for a lone mother with three children to $523 in 2010 for a lone male.
Conclusion
Despite increases in allowances, these findings suggest that the risk of food insecurity has increased for IA-dependent households in NS. To address this public health challenge, public health practitioners must advocate for integrated, progressive and sustainable social welfare policies that ensure that individuals and families relying on IA have adequate income and other supports to meet their basic needs, including access to a healthy diet.
Résumé
Objectif
Évaluer l’abordabilité d’un régime alimentaire nutritif de base pour certains types de ménages qui comptent sur l’aide au revenu (AR) en comparant le revenu potentiel aux coûts du Panier de provisions nutritif (PPN) et d’autres dépenses essentielles entre 2002 et 2010, et examiner si les prestations d’AR étaient suffisantes durant cette période.
Méthode
Nous avons calculé le coût du PPN dans un échantillon aléatoire d’épiceries en Nouvelle-Écosse durant cinq périodes de temps (2002, 2004–2005, 2007, 2008 et 2010), ce qui nous a permis de construire des scénarios d’abordabilité pour trois types de ménages comptant sur l’AR: une famille de quatre personnes, une mère de famille monoparentale avec trois enfants, et un homme seul. Les dépenses mensuelles essentielles ont été déduites du revenu net total pour déterminer s’il restait des fonds suffisants pour acheter le PPN.
Résultats
Pour chaque période examinée, nos constatations montrent que tous les types de ménages accusent un déficit mensuel important s’ils achètent les produits d’un régime alimentaire nutritif de base. Dans chaque scénario, le déficit mensuel potentiel a augmenté entre 2002 et 2010, allant de 11 2 $ en 2002 pour une mère de famille monoparentale avec trois enfants à 523 $ en 2010 pour un homme seul.
Conclusion
Malgré les hausses des prestations, ces résultats montrent que le risque d’insécurité alimentaire s’est accru pour les ménages néoécossais comptant sur l’AR. Pour aborder ce problème de santé publique, les praticiens de la santé publique doivent promulguer des politiques d’aide sociale intégrées, progressistes et durables qui garantissent que les particuliers et les familles comptant sur l’AR disposent d’un revenu suffisant et d’autres mesures de soutien pour satisfaire leurs besoins fondamentaux, dont l’accès à une alimentation saine.
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Williams, P.L., Watt, C.G., Amero, M. et al. Affordability of a Nutritious Diet for Income Assistance Recipients in Nova Scotia (2002–2010). Can J Public Health 103, 183–188 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403810
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403810
Key words
- Nutrition policy
- income assistance
- food security
- community-based participatory research
- poverty
- welfare
- social assistance, food costing