Abstract

In the present study we analyze diversification of food consumption in Slovakia. Dietary diversity
is a proxy for the quality of diet and it measures one aspect of household food and nutritional
security. Using data from the Slovak Household Budget Survey, we estimate determinants of
demand for food diversity by means of linear and quantile regressions. We measure food diversity
by count measure of food items consumed during a specific time period and by Berry index. While
demand for food diversity has been steadily increasing since 2004, economic crisis in 2009 slightly
reduced the diversity of foodstuffs consumed by Slovak households. Estimated income elasticities
are consistent with the applied theoretical framework and previous studies conducted in other
countries. Furthermore, results from the quantile regression reveal that the estimated coefficients
significantly differ across quantiles of the dependent variables’ distribution. Results further
indicate that Slovak households diversify their food consumption less during the first quarter of
the year and in rural areas. Individual characteristics of the household head, such as education, age
or gender significantly influence diverse food consumption too. Overall, an increasing demand for
food diversity was observed between 2004 and 2010 which can imply an improved quality of diet
and food security of Slovak households.