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An Exploration of the Relationship Between Income and Eating Behavior

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 September 2016

Susan E. Chen ,
Jing Liu  and
James K. Binkley
Susan E. Chen
Affiliation:
Department of Economics, Finance and Legal Studies at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Jing Liu
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana
James K. Binkley
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Economics at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana
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Abstract

This paper explores the relationship between income and eating behavior. To do this we examine choice in two food categories: milk and soft drinks. These categories have varieties differing in health qualities but either no differences in cost or lower cost for the healthier types. By examining food choices when there are no measurable cost differences but clear health differences, we are able to isolate the association between income and healthy eating behavior. We find a negative association between income and dietary intake of higher-calorie types of milk and soft drinks. Our estimates are consistent across the five sets of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals data that we study. For 2005 we estimate that an income increase of $10,000 is linked to a reduction in 377 calories from milk and 2,555 calories from soft drinks per year. Our results suggest that the cost of food may not be the only reason why low income people have less healthy diets.

Keywords

health behaviorhealthy eatinglow incomemilksoft drinks
Type
Contributed Papers
Information
Agricultural and Resource Economics Review , Volume 41 , Issue 1 , April 2012 , pp. 82 - 91
Copyright
Copyright © 2012 Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association 

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