Food versus non-food expenditure: impact on dietary diversity in urban Ghana

Purpose This study examines how household consumption expenditure affects dietary diversity among urban households in Ghana amid rapid urbanization in sub-Saharan Africa. It focuses on the allocation between food and non-food expenditure and its implications for nutrition and well-being. Design/methodology/approach Data come from Waves II and III of the Ghana Socioeconomic Panel Survey. A panel fixed-effects model estimates the relationship between expenditure patterns and dietary diversity, supplemented by t-tests of expenditure allocation across income groups. Findings Food expenditure has a positive and significant impact on dietary diversity, while non-food expenditure has a significant negative effect, reducing dietary diversity scores by 0.701 units. Other significant factors include household head age, household size, and time spent listening to radio. Social implications The findings highlight the need for nutrition education programs to encourage prioritization of nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy, thereby improving dietary diversity and public health in urban Ghana. Originality/value This study adds to the scarce research on household expenditure and dietary diversity in sub-Saharan Africa by providing empirical evidence from Ghana. It offers new insights into how urban households' financial allocation shapes dietary outcomes.