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Abstract: Application of a Linear Programming-based Economic Index to the Analysis of the Evolution of the Costs of Foods

This paper develops a linear programming model able to yield optimal food shopping lists to match the nutritional needs and consumption habits of adult workers. The results obtained are used to introduce and evaluate an index with which it was possible to analyze the evolution of the food costs in the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro, from January 1996 to March 1997, and compare them to the results calculated by DIEESE.