The consequences of unemployment on diet composition and purchase behaviour

A longitudinal study from Denmark

Bibliographic Data

ID15091090
AuthorsSinne Smed (0000-0002-3897-4439, University of Copenhagen, corresponding author), Inge Tetens (0000-0002-2495-2511, University of Copenhagen), Thomas Bøker Lund (0000-0001-5282-1562), Lotte Holm (0000-0003-0667-7779, University of Copenhagen), Annemette Ljungdalh Nielsen, Annemette Nielsen (0000-0002-6469-4473)
Year2018
Volume21
Issue03
Pages580-592
Publication date2018-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePublic Health Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1368-9800 • E-ISSN: 1475-2727
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s136898001700266x
PMID29115198
OpenAlexW2767332136
LanguageEN
Citations received16
References cited26

Objective To explore and describe quantitatively the effect over time of unemployment on food purchase behaviour and diet composition. Design Longitudinal data from 2008–2012, with monthly food purchase data aligned with register data on unemployment measured as a dichotomous indicator as well as a trend accounting for the duration. Setting A household panel which registers daily food purchases combined with detailed nutritional information and registration of the duration of unemployment at individual level. The structure of the data set facilitates the detection of effects or associations between duration of unemployment and diet composition, purchase behaviour in terms of food expenditure, and share of food purchased on offer and in discounters while controlling for important confounding factors. Subjects Danish households of working age ( n 3440) adjusted to household equivalents. We use fixed-effects econometric methods to control for unobserved heterogeneity. Results In the short run, unemployment led to substitution in favour of discount stores and increases in food expenditure and in consumption of saturated fat, total fat and protein due to increased consumption of animal-based foods. In the medium run food expenditure declined together with consumption of fresh animal-based foods and saturated fat, total fat and protein. In the even longer run these nutrients were substituted by carbohydrates and added sugar. Conclusions Unemployment has a substantial influence on diet composition, but effects vary with duration of the unemployment period, which may have potential health implications. This ought to be taken into consideration in evaluations of existing reforms and in future reforms of welfare systems

Added sugar · Agricultural economics · Biology · Composition (language · Confounding · Consumption (sociology · Danish · Demographic economics · Duration (music · Econometrics · Economic growth · Economics · Food consumption · Panel data · Sugar · Unemployment · Welfare · Employment and Welfare Studies · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Global Health Care Issues · Medicine · Food Science

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