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This study aimed to evaluate the perception of the cost of healthy eating and the influence of socioeconomic factors on this perception among the adult population of the Santiago district, Panama. A quantitative methodology with a non-experimental cross-sectional design was used, administering a structured survey to a representative sample of 383 people, selected through stratified random sampling by district. The results revealed that 92.1% of the population does not perceive a price advantage in healthy foods, considering them more expensive or the same price as unhealthy alternatives, and 51% have stopped buying them due to their price in the last six months. Although 64.5% reject the idea that eating healthy is a luxury, only 23.5% consume these foods daily. Physical access is also a barrier, with 45.9% reporting low accessibility to fresh fruits and vegetables. Household incomes are mostly low (84.3% earn ?$1000 per month), and a significant portion of the budget is allocated to food. The most supported policies to mitigate the problem were mobile markets (64%), producer subsidies (59.8%), and free nutrition education (57.2%). The conclusion is that the perceived barrier is multifactorial (economic, logistical, and cultural), requiring integrated interventions that go beyond information campaigns and facilitate tangible and affordable access to nutritious food.
