Heat or Eat? Cold-Weather Shocks and Nutrition in Poor American Families

Abstract

We examine the effects of cold weather periods on family budgets and on nutritional outcomes in poor American families. Expenditures on food and home fuels are tracked by linking the Consumer Expenditure Survey to temperature data. Using the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we track calorie consumption, dietary quality, vitamin deficiencies, and anemia in summer and winter months. We find that both rich and poor families increase fuel expenditures in response to unusually cold weather (a 10° F drop below normal). At same time, poor families reduce food expenditures by roughly the same amount as the increase in fuel expenditures, while rich families increase food expenditures. Poor adults and children reduce caloric intake by roughly 200 calories during winter months, unlike richer adults and children. In sensitivity analyses, we find that decreases in food expenditure are most pronounced outside the South. We conclude that poor parents and their children outside the South spend and eat less food during cold weather temperature shocks. We surmise that existing social programs fail to buffer against these shocks.

The health impacts of energy performance investments in low-income areas: a mixed-methods approach

“…[42][43][44] Others may trade warmth for other essentials, such as food. 34,45,46 This phenomenon has become known as the 'heat-or-eat' dilemma. 45,46 When heating is prioritised, disposable income and food choices become restricted, affecting both the quantity and quality of foods purchased and consumed.…”

“…34,45,46 This phenomenon has become known as the 'heat-or-eat' dilemma. 45,46 When heating is prioritised, disposable income and food choices become restricted, affecting both the quantity and quality of foods purchased and consumed. 34,36 Households may also choose not to adopt coping strategies and instead continue their normal spending patterns, which can lead to arrears in fuel payments and the accumulation of debt.…”

“…59 Energy efficiency investments also contribute to improved well-being by making heating more affordable. 6 Reduced spending on heating bills alleviates financial stress and fuel poverty among low-income households 60,61 and helps to free financial resources for better food security 45,46 and social interactions. 31 …”

Socioeconomic and behavioural risk factors for adverse winter health and social outcomes in economically developed countries: a systematic review of quantitative observational studies

“…Low income was significantly associated with cold weather-related adverse health and social outcomes, including EWM,40 secretory otitis media in Brazilian children,25 and reduced food expenditure and calorie intake by American families 24. A pan-European ecological time series analysis found income inequality, a composite measure of material and social deprivation and reduced public healthcare expenditure to be associated with significantly higher relative EWM rates between countries 3…”

Impacts of energy-efficiency investments on internal conditions in low-income households

“…The second pathway is where energy-efficiency investments make heating the home more affordable (Marmot et al, 2011). Reduced spending on heating bills alleviates financial stress and fuel poverty among low-income households (Caldwell et al, 2001;Gilbertson et al, 2006), and helps to free financial resources for better food security (Beatty, Blow, & Crossley, 2014;Bhattacharya, DeLeire, Haider, & Currie, 2003) and reduced social isolation (Ormandy & Ezratty, 2016).…”