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Evolution in Well-being and Happiness after Increases in Consumption of Fruit and Vegetables

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  • Mujcic, Redzo

    (Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, University of Queensland)

  • Oswald, Andrew.J

    (Department of Economics, University of Warwick)

Abstract

Objectives : To explore whether improvements in psychological well-being occur after increases in fruit and vegetable consumption.Methods : Longitudinal food diaries were examined on 12,000 randomly samples Australian adults over 2007, 2009, and 2013. The study examined fixed-effects regression equations on individuals' happiness and life satisfaction. It adjusted for a large set of other influences, including people's changing incomes and personal circumstances. Prospective analysis, Granger-causality tests, and instrumental-variable estimation were also done.Results : Increases in fruit and vegetable intake were predictive of increases in happiness and life satisfaction. Well-being improvements were of up to 0.24 life-satisfaction points (for an increase of 8 portions a day), which is equal size to the psychological gain of moving from unemployment to employment. Improvements occurred within 24 months. Conclusions : People's motivation to eat healthy food is weakened by the fact that physical-health benefits accrue decades later. This study offers a new possibility. Public-health policy could emphasise immediate well-being improvement from healthy eating. Policy Implications : Citizens could be shown longitudinal evidence that 'happiness' gains from healthy eating can occur quickly and many years before enhances physical health.

Suggested Citation

  • Mujcic, Redzo & Oswald, Andrew.J, 2016. "Evolution in Well-being and Happiness after Increases in Consumption of Fruit and Vegetables," The Warwick Economics Research Paper Series (TWERPS) 1128, University of Warwick, Department of Economics.
  • Handle: RePEc:wrk:warwec:1128
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    File URL: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/economics/research/workingpapers/2016/twerp_1128_oswald.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Serdula, M.K. & Gillespie, C. & Kettel-Khan, L. & Farris, R. & Seymour, J. & Denny, C., 2004. "Trends in fruit and vegetable consumption among adults in the United States: Behavioral risk factor surveillance system, 1994-2000," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 94(6), pages 1014-1018.
    2. Patterson, B.H. & Block, G., 1988. "Food choices and the cancer guidelines," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 78(3), pages 282-286.
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