Exploring food purchase decisions in food insecure households: An exploratory qualitative study in an emerging Latin American country

Abstract

An in-depth understanding of how citizens make their food choices is necessary to develop targeted strategies to promote healthier dietary habits. However, studies with vulnerable populations in non-WEIRD (Western-Educated-Industrialized-Rich-Democratic) societies are still scarce. In this context, the present study aimed at exploring the food purchase decisions of adults in charge of children and adolescents living in households experiencing food insecurity in Uruguay, an emerging Latin American country. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with beneficiaries of food assistance programs from both the state and civil society in four Uruguayan cities. The transcripts were analyzed using content analysis based on inductive coding. Three main themes related to food purchase decisions were identified: frequency of food purchasing, food purchase locations, and motives underlying food choice. Income was identified as the key determinant of food choice. Participants reported experiencing challenges for managing their limited household budget, struggling to purchase food throughout the month. They relied on an intricate set of multiple strategies to maximize the quantity of foods they can purchase with their limited household budget. Despite extreme focus on the immediate lack of money, food purchase decisions seemed to be highly rational, instead of driven by automatic or impulsive processes. Results have relevant implications for the development of strategies to promote healthier eating patterns among socioeconomically vulnerable sectors of the population in Uruguay and similar settings.