How do obese people afford to be obese? Consumption strategies of Russian households

Abstract

This article investigates the extent to which Russian households that differ in their members' weight status adjust their food consumption differently when their economic resources change. Using household-panel data from the Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (RLMS) from 1995 to 2005, we estimate total expenditure elasticities of food expenditures, food quantities, and food quality for normal-weight, overweight, and obese households, respectively. The expenditure elasticities of quality derived for obese households for meat, bread, fruits, and dairy were found to be 15-20% higher than those of normal households. Hence, a change in economic resources causes obese households to adjust the quality of purchased foods significantly more flexibly than normal-weight households. Only few differences were found for quantity and expenditure reactions. Our results emphasize that policies aiming to reduce obesity should consider deviations in consumption behavior of normal and obese consumers in terms of quality. JEL classifications: C23; D12; I10; I18; Q18

Food Demand in Russia: Heterogeneous Consumer Segments over Time

“…They argued that lower income elasticities for Russian households might be caused both by traditionally high pre-committed quantities of meat product consumption in Russia and a greater variety and availability of value-added meat products in the US market. Stillman and Thomas (2008), Staudigel (2012) and Notten and de Crombrugghe (2012) all reported more recent food-demand elasticities for Russia based on RLMS data. However, these studies derived elasticity estimates not from a demand system analysis but from single-equation approaches using panel-methods.…”

“…Stillman and Thomas (), Staudigel () and Notten and de Crombrugghe () all reported more recent food‐demand elasticities for Russia based on RLMS data. However, these studies derived elasticity estimates not from a demand system analysis but from single‐equation approaches using panel‐methods.…”

Life satisfaction and diet in transition: evidence from the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey

“…Psychological stress and unhealthy lifestyles, which include heavy alcohol (vodka) and cigarette consumption, a high‐fat and energy‐intensive diet, and a lack of recreational exercise, have been identified as the main and often intertwined determinants of poor health in Russia (Zohoori et al., ) . Staudigel () investigates the differences in households’ food consumption when their economic resources change during the transition period and finds evidence of deterioration in diet quality.…”

Does a nutritious diet cost more in food deserts?

“…Increasing the variety of foods across and within food groups is recommended in most dietary guidelines, both in the U.S. (HHS and USDA, 2015) and internationally (WHO, ). Diet quality depends on consumer choices, which are affected by the food prices, availability, and retail environment they face (Staudigel, ). Therefore, availability, variety, and prices are key issues for policymakers when deciding what to do about food deserts, if anything.…”