Investigation of The Relationship Between the Changes in Consumption of Macronutrients and Raw Materials with Economic Growth Among the Visegrad Countries Between 1993 and 2018

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between economic growth and changes in consumption of macronutrients and raw materials in the Visegrad countries. Data on diet are from the World Health Organization's HFA online database, while GDP per capita data are from the Penn World Table database from 1993 to 2018. Spearman rank correlation with correlation coefficients was used to analyse the relationship between economic growth, average number of calories available per person per day (kcal), protein available per person per day (g), average amount of cereal available per person per year (kg), average amount of fruit and vegetables available per person per year (kg), and fat available per person per day (g). As economic activity increased in the Visegrad countries, the average number of calories available per person per day also increased. Also, there is a significant relationship between economic growth and the changes in consumption of macronutrients and raw materials in the Visegrad countries, although, some exceptions were identified. Based on our findings decision-makers within the Visegrad countries should strengthen policies promoting a healthier diet.