GLUTTONY AND SLOTH? CALORIES, LABOR MARKET ACTIVITY AND THE RISE OF OBESITY

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Griffith, Rachel; Lluberas, Rodrigo; Luhrmann, Melanie
• 署名单位: University of London; London School Economics & Political Science; University of Manchester; University ORT Uruguay; University of London; Royal Holloway University London
• 刊物名称: JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC ASSOCIATION
• ISSN/ISSBN: 1542-4766
• DOI: 10.1111/jeea.12183
• 发表日期: 2016
• 页码: 1253-1286
• 关键词: multiple imputation; engel curves; time use; consumption; household; prices; EQUATIONS; demand; GROWTH; adults

摘要

The rise in obesity has largely been attributed to an increase in calorie consumption. We show that official government household survey data indicate that levels of calorie consumption have declined in England between 1980 and 2013; while there has been an increase in calories from food eaten out at restaurants, fast food, soft drinks and confectionery, overall there has been a decrease in total calories purchased. Households have shifted towards more expensive calories, both by substituting away from home production towards market production, and substituting towards higher quality foods. We show that the decline in calories can be partially, but not entirely, rationalized with weight gain by a decline in the strenuousness of work and daily life.