We use a multilevel multinomial econometric approach to model the categories of body mass index as functions of both lifestyle components and external environment. Among state level variables, higher per-capita sales of restaurants and higher Gini coefficient are associated with higher rates of...

We evaluate the effect of differences in child care and food environments on obesity among children in the age group of four to six years. To address non-random selection of children into different child care settings, we first predict market price of child care and market wages, and then...

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...

Most adults are married, plan for retirement with their spouse, and pool assets to a significant degree. How then are each individual’s risk preferences combined in choosing the portfolio that represents for them the optimal tradeoff between risk and return? There are two pathways through...

A complete demand system for 11 aggregated food categories with 24 demographic variables, is specified following QUAIDS and is estimated using Japanese household level data. The estimation results suggest that westernization is due to the income effect and the tendency is further enhanced by the...

Previous researchers have encountered difficulties in rationalizing the extremely high expenditure elasticities estimated for grain demanded by urban Chinese households. The high grain expenditure elasticities, which usually translate into high income elasticities, are doubtful for making a...

We present in this study an agricultural household model that describes the joint production-consumption decision making of Chinese rural households under imperfect market. We conclude that the marginal value of a food product consumed is the sale price if there is a net sale for this food item;...

Since its economic reform, China has changed significantly as it makes its transition from a centrally-planned to a consumer-oriented economy and thus has gradually increased household income and changed consumption patterns in urban China. This study attempts to provide an in-depth...

This study estimates a cross-sectional model through a theoretically consistent Almost Ideal Demand System (AIDS) to examine the economic and demographic determinants of food consumption patterns in Japan over life-cycle periods. Results show key factors that explain such behavior, including...