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Can Economic Crises Be Good for Your Diet?

Author

Listed:
  • Dimova, Ralitza

    (University of Manchester)

  • Gang, Ira N.

    (Rutgers University)

  • Gbakou, Monnet Benoit Patrick

    (Félix Houphouët-Boigny University)

  • Hoffman, Daniel

    (Rutgers University)

Abstract

With fortuitously timed data – collected before, during and after a major macro-financial crisis in Bulgaria – we revisit several hypotheses in the economics and nutritional literature related to the tendency of households to smooth their nutritional status over time. We explore the dietary impact of both falling real incomes in the context of hyperinflation and crisis and changing relative prices and the changing responsiveness of different groups of people to these incomes and prices over six year of fundamental structural reforms of the economy. Our results highlight large and dramatically changing food and nutrient elasticities, which challenge the perception of household ability to smooth their nutrient stream during economic crises and transitions.

Suggested Citation

  • Dimova, Ralitza & Gang, Ira N. & Gbakou, Monnet Benoit Patrick & Hoffman, Daniel, 2011. "Can Economic Crises Be Good for Your Diet?," IZA Discussion Papers 5610, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp5610
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    nutrition; health; fluctuation; diet; crisis;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • P23 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - Factor and Product Markets; Industry Studies; Population
    • P24 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist and Transition Economies - - - National Income, Product, and Expenditure; Money; Inflation
    • P36 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist Institutions and Their Transitions - - - Consumer Economics; Health; Education and Training; Welfare, Income, Wealth, and Poverty

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