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Memory utility, food consumption and obesity

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  • Zeng, Qiyan
  • Yu, Xiaohua
  • Bao, Te

Abstract

Introducing the concept of memory utility, we explore the effect of memory capacity on overweight and weight control by building a theoretical model and conducting related empirical research with a double-hurdle model. The result shows that better memory capacity can lead to a higher probability of overweight due to the higher discount rate and more food consumption when this person is not obese; while it helps the overweight individuals to lose weight due to memory disutility from obesity. The different effects of memory result from the tradeoff between memory utility from food consumption and memory disutility from obesity.

Suggested Citation

  • Zeng, Qiyan & Yu, Xiaohua & Bao, Te, 2020. "Memory utility, food consumption and obesity," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:chieco:v:62:y:2020:i:c:s1043951x19301063
    DOI: 10.1016/j.chieco.2019.101345
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    2. Guan, Lijun & Huang, Zuhui & Jin, Shaosheng, 2022. "Time preference and nutrition label use: Evidence from China," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 47(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Memory capacity; Food consumption; Memory utility; Memory disutility; Overweight and obesity; Weight control;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; Animal Welfare Policy
    • D15 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Intertemporal Household Choice; Life Cycle Models and Saving
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior

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