How does the business cycle affect eating habits?

16 January 2012

Economic progress involves changes related to income and time constraints. We can also expect an impact on the health of individuals. This study uses a behavioral surveillance system (1990-2009) to explore the relationship between unemployment and consumption of various food healthy and unhealthy in the United States. Estimates show that unemployment is associated with reduced consumption of fruit and vegetables and increased consumption of unhealthy food such as snacks and fast food.

Heterogeneous responses are also identified by a detailed stratification of the sample, isolating the effect of unemployment risk based on socioeconomic characteristics.

Among those, being unemployed is linked to a reduction of 3-6% of the consumption of fruit and vegetables. The impact is slightly higher among younger adults, less educated and married.