How are rising food costs affecting our health?

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – Post pandemic, it seems the price of everything continues to soar, including at the grocery store.

A recent study published by the National Library of Medicine reported the prices of healthy foods like fruits, vegetables and meat alternatives increased nearly 13% from 2019 to 2022. In contrast, the same study reported during the same time period, unhealthy food prices only increased 9%.

“So overall, all prices should rise when we have inflation, that includes food as well. And so, if we look back over the past few years, roughly, prices have gone up about 20%, food has tracked that slightly higher, I think around a 21-22% increase,” says Stephen King, an Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics with Western Kentucky University.

This can cause a plethora of health risks for lower income families, whom Health and Wellness Director with Med Center Health Sarah Widener says see more weight related health issues.

“The weight related health issues that we see here are going to be just obesity in general. People have weight issues, and they want to lose weight to prevent issues, so we do a lot of that. But then some of the other things that we see are high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.”

King says grocery stores may pose a cheaper option but may not have the same quality as local markets.

“They deal in very high volumes, so their per unit cost of production tends to be lower, and that may generally translate into lower cost for consumers. A farmers market, each farmer is dealing in a much smaller volume.”

Though Widener says this isn’t always an option for lower income families, who may not have access to reliable to speedy transportation.

For her patients, Widener recommends finding places to cut sodium and fats and add in protein and nutrients.

“So, we’ll look for things that maybe they’re eating, ramen noodles, but they could have half the package, add some eggs to it for protein, and have a banana with it. So you know, is it all the beautiful fruits and vegetables that we see pictures of? Maybe not. But we will meet them where they are and what they have available, to find those healthier options and bridge that gap for them.”

King says he does expect inflation rates to drop, quote, somewhere into the future, but he’s unsure exactly when.

Bowling Green has several food banks available to help those facing food insecurity.

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