Lesley Frank1, Madeleine Waddington2, Meaghan Sim3, Misty Rossiter4, Shannan Grant5, Patricia L Williams6. 1. Department of Sociology, Acadia University, 15 University Ave., Wolfville, Nova Scotia, B4P 2R6, Canada. Lesley.frank@acadiau.ca. 2. Nova Scotia Health Authority, Public Health Central Zone, 7 Mellor Ave, Unit 5, Dartmouth, NS, B3B 0E8, Canada. 3. Healthy Populations Institute, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada. 4. Department of Applied Human Sciences, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PE, C1A 4P3, Canada. 5. Department of Applied Human Nutrition, Mount Saint Vincent University, 166 Bedford Highway, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3M 2J6, Canada. 6. Department of Applied Human Nutrition, Mount Saint Vincent University, Rm 105, FoodARC, 47 College Rd., 166 Bedford Highway, Halifax, NS, B3M 2J6, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This paper examines the affordability of a basic nutritious diet for low-income families in Nova Scotia over three developmental periods (pregnancy, perinatal, early infancy) using economic simulations that include food costing and secondary data. METHODS: The cost of a nutritious food basket was determined from a random sample of grocery stores in Nova Scotia (n = 21), along with the cost of infant formula (n = 29) and prenatal vitamins and vitamin D drops (n = 15), from randomly selected pharmacies. The monthly funds remaining to purchase a basic nutritious diet were calculated for several household scenarios, after deducting essential living expenses from net incomes. Each scenario included either a pregnant woman or a breastfed or formula-fed infant at 3 months, and either Income Assistance, Federal Maternity Benefits based on minimum wage employment, or a $15/h wage. RESULTS: Income Assistance and Federal Maternity Benefits, based on minimum wage, were inadequate to purchase a basic nutritious diet during pregnancy or in early infancy whether breastfeeding or formula feeding. All household scenarios faced significant potential monthly deficits if they were to purchase a basic nutritious diet. CONCLUSION: Minimum wage and income security programs are inadequate for the purchase of a basic nutritious diet throughout the prenatal, perinatal, and early infancy periods in Nova Scotia, emphasizing risk of food insecurity as a critical issue for young families facing income constraints. Adequate maternity protection is required to support access to food and nutrition essential for maternal and infant health.
OBJECTIVE: This paper examines the affordability of a basic nutritious diet for low-income families in Nova Scotia over three developmental periods (pregnancy, perinatal, early infancy) using economic simulations that include food costing and secondary data. METHODS: The cost of a nutritious food basket was determined from a random sample of grocery stores in Nova Scotia (n = 21), along with the cost of infant formula (n = 29) and prenatal vitamins and vitamin D drops (n = 15), from randomly selected pharmacies. The monthly funds remaining to purchase a basic nutritious diet were calculated for several household scenarios, after deducting essential living expenses from net incomes. Each scenario included either a pregnant woman or a breastfed or formula-fed infant at 3 months, and either Income Assistance, Federal Maternity Benefits based on minimum wage employment, or a $15/h wage. RESULTS: Income Assistance and Federal Maternity Benefits, based on minimum wage, were inadequate to purchase a basic nutritious diet during pregnancy or in early infancy whether breastfeeding or formula feeding. All household scenarios faced significant potential monthly deficits if they were to purchase a basic nutritious diet. CONCLUSION: Minimum wage and income security programs are inadequate for the purchase of a basic nutritious diet throughout the prenatal, perinatal, and early infancy periods in Nova Scotia, emphasizing risk of food insecurity as a critical issue for young families facing income constraints. Adequate maternity protection is required to support access to food and nutrition essential for maternal and infant health.
Entities:
Keywords:
Breastfeeding; Food costing; Formula feeding; Infant food insecurity; Maternal and infant health; Social welfare policy
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