|
Articles & Resources
 Rising
fuel and food prices may compromise your
nutritional status and expand your waistline
"The
Secure and Sustainable Food Systems for
Victoria" report commissioned by
the State Government said food supply problems
were so severe that consumers' access to
affordable, healthy diets was jeopardised.
The
report by the Victorian Eco-Innovation Lab
(VEIL) at the University of Melbourne
said "As Australian and Victorian producers
struggle with the lack of water and rising
fuel costs, cheaper imports from international
markets are filling market niches for basic
food products such as fruit and vegetables".
The lead author Kirsten Larsen highlighted
that under current conditions and excessive
debt many producers are ceasing production,
but reduced domestic production capability
could undermine future food security and
that water scarcity will continue to place
pressure on Victorian producers and drive
up the cost of food. She feels that environmental
risks and resource constraints are already
undermining our ability to increase food
production and are reducing access to healthy,
affordable food.
The
food price index increased by 2.1% in the
March 2008 quarter alone and by 11%
in the last 2 years, well above the general
rate of inflation.
Rising fuel prices are going to contribute
to even higher food prices because the food
system in Australia from production through
to purchase is so dependent on fuel thirsty
processes. Food processes are also affected
by food shortages caused by the drought,
together with the increasing cost of water,
fertilizer and animal feeds. Rising food
prices could present the Australian government
with more social problems than the cost
of petrol.
Research
has shown us that rising food prices are
likely to have an adverse effect on weight
and health.
Australian households spend 18-20%
of their income on food and non-alcoholic
beverages (well in excess of expenditure
on petrol).
In 2004, Victorian researchers estimated
that the mean absolute weekly food expenditure
was $127 but found that the average weekly
cost of a basket of food to provide a nutritionally
adequate intake for a family of six was
$180. With rising food prices in 2008 it
is expected that families would need to
spend in excess of $200 a week to consume
a nutritionally adequate diet. It is therefore
not surprising that one in four low income
families report that they often run out
of food between pays and cannot afford to
buy more.
Food
prices have risen the most for healthy nutritious
foods because fresh produce is more
sensitive to increases in production, transport
and storage costs. Vegetables, fruits, milk,
beef, bread and rice have all risen steeply
with basic commodity prices around 25% higher
than last year whereas processed products
based on sugars and fats have risen less.
Consumers are seeking to reduce food costs
which means they may end up spending more
on energy dense nutrient poor processed/take
away foods.
Dr
Tim Gill public health nutrition researcher
at the University of Sydney says "So
while the Government invests significant
time and effort in finding ways of reducing
motorists’ fuel bills by a few dollars
a week to demonstrate their empathy, they
are distracted from a potentially much larger
social, health and political problem just
around the corner".
If
these trends continue nutritional deficiencies
may become more commonplace in the community.
Doctors, dietitians, nurses and other allied
health professionals may need to become
more active and skilled at detecting signs
and symptoms of nutritional deficiencies/insufiiciencies.
Sources:
The Age May 18, 2008
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/fears-over-states-food-security/2008/05/17/1210765260575.html
Dr Tim Gill June 24, 2008
http://www.crikey.com.au/Politics/20080624-Rising-fuel-prices-may-affect-your-waist-as-well-as-your-hip-pocket.html
International
Food Policy and Research Institute
http://www.ifpri.org/
Last
Updated: July 2008
|
