THE IMPACT OF CHANGES IN PURCHASING POWER ON FOOD-CONSUMPTION OF AN URBAN-POPULATION IN GUATEMALA-CITY

Repeated measures were obtained in a sample of 200 poor urban households in Guatemala to evaluate the impact of changes in their purchasing power on food consumption patterns. The sample was divided into three income level groups, based on their families' total per capita expenditures. Results revealed that the purchasing power of the poorest group was less affected between 1986 and 1987 than that of families with relatively higher income. Energy and protein intakes improved in the low and medium income groups and did not change in the high income group. This maintenance or improvement of dietary intake was at the expense of reduced expenditures on other items such as recreation, clothing, and health. However, the mean energy intakes and the protein quality were, in general, inadequate relative to recommendations, both in 1986 and 1987.