From food basket to food security. The food factor in nutritional surveillance
Lareo, L.R.; Gracia, B.N.; Fajardo, L.; Romero, L.H.; Acciarri, G.; Pradilla, A.; Maldonado, C.; Reed, M.; Daza, C.H.
Archivos Latinoamericanos de Nutricion 40(1): 22-43
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-0622 PMID: 2103714 Document Number: 359230
An important indicator in nutritional surveillance is that concerning the monitoring of food security. The development of one such indicator is described. This includes the development of a food basket, defined as the group of foods most commonly purchased and eaten which, when taken together, will provide the recommended nutrient intake for the average family. The food basket contributes a substantial proportion of energy and protein purchased and makes up an important proportion of the food budget. The concept implies a dynamic food basket, the quantities of which are calculated in a way that simulates the behaviour of the consumer and the greatest knowledge of nutrition. For this purpose linear programme techniques are used. A measure of the risk of being unable to buy the foods needed for a family is presented and is used as a proxy for food security risk. The mathematical expressions of the model used for a linear programme are presented in an appendix.