The article examines how urbanization affects diets in West Africa, where malnutrition is high and the food sector is a key employer. Analyzing data from eight countries, the study finds a shift from traditional staples to more convenient and diverse foods, but also an increase in unhealthy food intake, especially fats. It highlights the need for nuanced policies that go beyond a simple rural-urban distinction to address changing food consumption patterns.
Combining survey data from 8 countries with geospatial data, this study compares diets across the rural-urban continuum. The results reveal a gradual shift away from traditional staple foods, towards increased consumption of foods that require less preparation. Diets become more diverse. Yet, diet quality does not improve as the intake of unhealthy foods and fats in particular rises. While the effects are strongest in cities, these diet transitions also take place in peri-urban areas and rural areas. This confirms the importance of moving beyond a simple rural-urban dichotomy in research and policy related to food consumption.
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Title: Exploring food consumption patterns across the rural-urban continuum in West Africa
URL: https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC137488
Year: 2024
Authors: Cockx, L; Boti, D
Journal: Publications Office of the European Union
Abstract: Diets are a significant contributor to malnutrition in all its forms. Moreover, changes in food consumption create opportunities and challenges for agrifood systems. An improved understanding of diets is therefore crucial to design appropriate food, agricultural, and nutrition policies. Urbanization is commonly put forward as a determinant of changing diets. Yet, research on this relationship has been challenged by the lack of a unified definition of what constitutes an “urban” area. In addition, a simple rural-urban dichotomy has resulted in a focus on the “rural-urban divide” that disregards the interconnectedness between various types of population agglomerations and masks differences within rural and urban zones. In this study, we combine household survey data on food consumption with satellite data capturing the urbanisation gradient following the harmonized definition of the Degree or Urbanisation. While there are important differences across countries, several patterns emerge clearly including a shift away from traditional staples, towards more conveniently consumed and prepared foods. While the effects are often strongest cities, we find significant differences in food consumption at much lower levels of urbanization. This confirms the importance of moving beyond a simple rural-urban dichotomy and taking into account the great diversity among both rural and urban environments.
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