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Food Labels and Weight Loss: Evidence from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth

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  • Mandal, Bidisha

Abstract

This study investigates the role of nutrition and ingredients information, included in the food labels, as useful tools for individuals who are trying to lose weight. This research has three objectives - examine personal characteristics as predictors of willingness to lose weight conditional on individual's current body mass index, investigate whether those who are trying to lose weight are more likely to read food labels to gather nutritional and ingredients information, and, analyze whether those who want to lose weight and read food labels have a greater propensity to lose weight. Estimates from random effects logistic regressions indicate higher usage of food labels by those who are trying to lose weight, irrespective of their current body mass index. There is also greater likelihood of weight loss in the user group. Future research entails use of more sophisticated econometric techniques to control for self-selection and endogeneity.

Suggested Citation

  • Mandal, Bidisha, 2008. "Food Labels and Weight Loss: Evidence from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth," 2008 Annual Meeting, July 27-29, 2008, Orlando, Florida 6200, American Agricultural Economics Association (New Name 2008: Agricultural and Applied Economics Association).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:aaea08:6200
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.6200
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jayachandran N. Variyam & John Cawley, 2006. "Nutrition Labels and Obesity," NBER Working Papers 11956, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kiesel, Kristin & Villas-Boas, Sofia B., 2013. "Can information costs affect consumer choice? Nutritional labels in a supermarket experiment," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 31(2), pages 153-163.
    2. Villas-Boas, Sofia B & Kiesel, Kristin, 2013. "Another Nutritional Label: Experimenting with Grocery Store Labels and Consumer Choice," Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, UC Berkeley, Working Paper Series qt5rf359pn, Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, UC Berkeley.
    3. Kiesel, Kristin & Villas-Boas, Sofia B., 2009. "Can Information Costs Confuse Consumer Choice?---Nutritional Labels in a Supermarket Experiment," Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, UC Berkeley, Working Paper Series qt6st6d0rr, Department of Agricultural & Resource Economics, UC Berkeley.

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