[Do basic welfare payments in Germany cover the food costs of a healthy diet for children and adolescents?]

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Families in Germany who live in poverty receive citizens' benefits (Bürgergeld) within the context of welfare legislation. Basic rates for children and adolescents are included in these benefits and staggered into three groups according to age. The need for nutrition is the largest category of the basic rate. The Optimized Mixed Diet (OMD) is a practical concept of a healthy diet for children and adolescents aged 1-18 years. Traditional and home-cooked meals are preferred. The aim of this project was to calculate the food costs of the OMD based on the underlying 7‑day meal plan.

Methods

The lowest shelf prices of 87 different foods from the OMD were recorded during market inspections in different food retailers (1 supermarket, 1 discounter; November 2022, Bochum

SUBMITTER: Belgardt AJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11774961 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature