To determine the minimum cost and affordability of three levels of diet quality in urban households in Cali, Colombia: a caloric-adequate diet, a nutrient-adequate diet, and a recommended diet.

Least-cost diets were estimated for different demographic groups. The Cost of Caloric Adequacy (CoCA) and the Cost of Nutrient Adequacy (CoNA) were computed using linear programming models. The Cost of Recommended Diet (CoRD) adheres to Colombia’s Food-Based Dietary Guidelines. Individualized costs were aggregated for a representative household, and affordability was assessed by comparing these costs with household food expenditures. Data sources included the National Administrative Department of Statistics, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, and the Colombia Institute of Family Welfare.

Cali, Colombia

The per capita income and food expenditures of 885 urban households in Cali, taken from Colombia’s Great Integrated Household Survey.

The CoNA per 1,000 kcal indicates that women require more nutrient-dense diets than men. Limiting nutrients include vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B12, and calcium. Three food groups ―(1) meat, eggs, legumes, nuts, and seeds; (2) milk and dairy products; and (3) vegetables and fruits― account for about 70% of the CoRD. The affordability analysis shows that 42.66% of households in the 10th income percentile cannot afford the CoCA, none below the 20th percentile can afford the CoNA, and only those above the 40th percentile can afford the CoRD.

Urban households face significant barriers not only to affording diets that promote long-term health, but also to those that meet nutritional requirements.