Food consumption and poverty in rural Jamaica

Abstract

The relationship between food consumption and poverty is explored at an integrated rural development project site. Household food consumption was estimated by a 24‐hour recall and socioeconomic data were obtained by questionnaire. The sample of 110 households was randomly selected from three functionally defined strata: households operating one acre (Landless), one to three acres (Deficit) and 3.1–5.9 acres (Subsistence). Protein‐energy ratios were generally adequate, but energy intakes below 80 percent of recommended levels were observed in almost one‐third of the households. Poverty conditions which differed in nature and intensity for the three strata were associated with deficits. Indications are that the solution is not a simple aggregate increase in food production, but rather it must involve development activities which increase the effective demand of food among the deprived households.