Changes in Household Food Purchases in Iran: Income and Urban–Rural Inequality Publisher Pubmed



Jafarvand E ; Kianirad A ; Pouraram H
Source: BMC Public Health Published:2026

Abstract

Background: Regular monitoring of nutritional indicators serves as an early warning system for policymakers and is essential for the effective governance of food security. This study presents the first 18-year trend analysis of changes in Iranian household food purchases, with a specific focus on inequalities across income deciles and between urban and rural areas in Iran. Methods: Data from the Statistical Center of Iran (2005–2022) were analyzed. Six major food groups, calories, and macronutrients derived from household purchases were examined. Linear regression, with year as a continuous predictor, was performed using SPSS (p < 0.05 considered significant). Data processing and figure generation were conducted using Microsoft Access 2016 and Excel 2016, respectively. Results: Over the 18-year study period, per capita purchases of all major food groups declined in both urban and rural areas. Urban–rural disparities in household food purchases, as well as the associated estimated calorie and macronutrient quantities, narrowed. Furthermore, although higher-income households consistently purchased more of most food groups (except cereals) than lower-income households, these income-based inequalities also diminished over time. Conclusion: Although nutritional inequalities in Iran have decreased in recent years, the simultaneous decline in overall household food purchases calls for more rigorous research on the subject. Analyzing long-term trends in household food purchase-based nutritional indicators is a critical scientific and policy priority for evaluating programs and designing evidence-based policies. © The Author(s) 2026.