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Calories, obesity and health in OECD countries

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  • Mario Mazzocchi
  • W. Bruce Traill

Abstract

Theoretical models suggest that decisions about diet, weight and health status are endogenous within a utility maximization framework. In this article, we model these behavioural relationships in a fixed-effect panel setting using a simultaneous equation system, with a view to determining whether economic variables can explain the trends in calorie consumption, obesity and health in Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries and the large differences among the countries. The empirical model shows that progress in medical treatment and health expenditure mitigates mortality from diet-related diseases, despite rising obesity rates. While the model accounts for endogeneity and serial correlation, results are affected by data limitations.

Suggested Citation

  • Mario Mazzocchi & W. Bruce Traill, 2011. "Calories, obesity and health in OECD countries," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 43(26), pages 3919-3929.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:applec:v:43:y:2011:i:26:p:3919-3929
    DOI: 10.1080/00036841003742587
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    1. Irz, Xavier & Leroy, Pascal & Réquillart, Vincent & Soler, Louis-Georges, 2015. "Economic assessment of nutritional recommendations," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 39(C), pages 188-210.
    2. Staudigel, Matthias, 2011. "How (much) do food prices contribute to obesity in Russia?," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 9(2), pages 133-147, March.
    3. Xavier Irz & Pascal Leroy & Vincent V. Requillart & Louis-Georges Soler & Olivier Allais, 2013. "Identifying sustainable diets compatible with consumer preferences [Identification de régimes alimentaires durables compatibles avec les préférences des consommateurs]," Post-Print hal-02804826, HAL.
    4. Sangeeta Bansal & David Zilberman, 2020. "Macrorelationship between average life expectancy and prevalence of obesity: Theory and evidence from global data," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 51(3), pages 403-427, May.
    5. Staudigel, Matthias, 2016. "A soft pillow for hard times? Economic insecurity, food intake and body weight in Russia," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 198-212.
    6. Marta Marson & Donatella Saccone & Elena Vallino, 2024. "Does food import contribute to rising obesity in low‐ and middle‐income countries?," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 77(2), pages 371-410, May.

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