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The impact of temperature on calorie intake and consumption inequality

Author

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  • Zhu, Jialiang
  • Fang, Ying

Abstract

This paper employs micro-level data to estimate the impact of temperature on calorie intake. It documents a salient calorie intake gap between the rich and the poor. People with a lower level of wealth tend to consume more beverages when the temperature increases, to offset the calorie gap. The paper contributes to the literature by highlighting consumption inequality and the unhealthy diet of the poor.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhu, Jialiang & Fang, Ying, 2023. "The impact of temperature on calorie intake and consumption inequality," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 224(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:224:y:2023:i:c:s0165176523000393
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2023.111014
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hunt Allcott & Benjamin B. Lockwood & Dmitry Taubinsky, 2019. "Should We Tax Sugar-Sweetened Beverages? An Overview of Theory and Evidence," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 33(3), pages 202-227, Summer.
    2. Mark Aguiar & Erik Hurst, 2005. "Consumption versus Expenditure," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 113(5), pages 919-948, October.
    3. Cawley, John & Frisvold, David & Hill, Anna & Jones, David, 2019. "The impact of the Philadelphia beverage tax on purchases and consumption by adults and children," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    4. Fishman, Ram & Carrillo, Paul & Russ, Jason, 2019. "Long-term impacts of exposure to high temperatures on human capital and economic productivity," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 221-238.
    5. Deschenes, Olivier, 2014. "Temperature, human health, and adaptation: A review of the empirical literature," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 606-619.
    6. Richard Blundell & Luigi Pistaferri & Itay Saporta-Eksten, 2016. "Consumption Inequality and Family Labor Supply," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 106(2), pages 387-435, February.
    7. Orazio P. Attanasio & Luigi Pistaferri, 2016. "Consumption Inequality," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 30(2), pages 3-28, Spring.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hao Feng, 2025. "Using clean fuels promotes diverse diets and health in Chinese households," Food Security: The Science, Sociology and Economics of Food Production and Access to Food, Springer;The International Society for Plant Pathology, vol. 17(5), pages 1207-1222, October.
    2. Das Gupta, Amlan & Datta, Ashokankur & Gupta, Ridhima, 2025. "Higher temperatures and household nutrition: Evidence from India," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    3. Yanqin Zhang & Xueli Zhang & Manzhi Liu, 2023. "A Study on the Factors Influencing Household Consumption from a Money Demand Perspective: Evidence from Chinese Urban Residents," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-18, December.
    4. Ampofo, Akwasi & Churchill, Rejoice E.A. & Awaworyi Churchill, Sefa, 2025. "When the thermometer rises, the scales tip: Extreme temperature exposure and obesity," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I14 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Inequality
    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development

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