David B. Eastwood

Food Stamp Program Participation and Food Insecurity: An Instrumental Variables Approach

The relationship between Food Stamp Program (FSP) participation and household food insecurity (FI) is investigated using data from the 1996–1997 National Food Stamp Program Survey. Endogeneity of FSP participation is accommodated with an instrumental variables approach. In contrast to other findings reported in the literature, results suggest participation in the FSP reduces the severity of FI. Sociodemographic variables play important roles in FSP participation and FI. Underreporting of FSP participation and limited observations of food-insecure households in previous studies may have also been factors. Copyright 2008, Oxford University Press.

CONSUMER PREFERENCES FOR LOCAL VERSUS OUT-OF-STATE GROWN SELECTED FRESH PRODUCE: THE CASE OF KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE

Consumer behavior with respect to purchase regularity, satisfaction, origin, and willingness to pay for selected local versus non-Tennessee grown fresh produce is examined. Except for origin, consumer behavior with respect to the above is affected by income, of respondent, college education, and occupation. The pattern of significant variables changed by commodity. Tomatoes, followed by peaches, had the greatest local market potential. Local promotion of other products may be more difficult. Results suggested consumers have no strong preferences for or against locally grown fresh produce. The prices of locally grown commodities in Knoxville should be less than or equal to those of comparable quality non-Tennessee commodities.

Lifestyles, Demographics, Dietary Behavior, and Obesity: A Switching Regression Analysis

UNLABELLED OBJECTIVES; To investigate the effects of lifestyles, demographics, and dietary behavior on overweight and obesity. DATA SOURCE Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals 1994-1996, U.S. Department of Agriculture. STUDY DESIGN We developed a three-regime switching regression model to examine the effects of lifestyle, dietary behavior, and sociodemographic factors on body mass index (BMI) by weight category and accommodating endogeneity of exercise and food intake to avoid simultaneous equation bias. Marginal effects are calculated to assess the impacts of explanatory variables on the probabilities of weight categories and BMI levels. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Weight categories and exercise are found to be endogenous. Lifestyle, dietary behavior, social status, and other sociodemographic factors affect BMI differently across weight categories. Education, employment, and income have strong impacts on the likelihood of overweight and obesity. Exercise reduces the probabilities of being overweight and obese and the level of BMI among overweight individuals. CONCLUSION Health education programs can be targeted at individuals susceptible to overweight and obesity. Social status variables, along with genetic and geographic factors, such as region, urbanization, age, and race, can be used to pinpoint these individuals.

HOUSEHOLD NUTRIENT DEMAND: USE OF CHARACTERISTICS THEORY AND A COMMON ATTRIBUTE MODEL

A characteristics model, which assumes goods generate a common set of attributes but no unique attribute, is described. The model yielded two equations which were estimated. One was a set of hedonic price equations in which the price paid for each food purchased was a function of imputed attribute prices. This set of equations was estimated at the household level. Nutrient demand equations were estimated across households. Imputed prices, income, and household characteristics including location, size, education, age distribution, and race affected nutrient demand levels.

Estimating Effects of an Urban Growth Boundary on Land Development

This study estimates the effects of an urban growth boundary (UGB) on land development decisions in Knox County, TN, using a heteroscedastic probit model. With combined efforts of increased land development within the city boundary and decreased development within the UGB and the neighboring town of Farragut after the implementation of UGB, the UGB of Knox County has been successful in urban revitalization within the city boundary and discouraging urban sprawl. These UGB impacts may be related to the city government having the right to annex land parcels within the UGB without consent of land owners.

The Impact of an Urban Growth Boundary on Land Development in Knox County, Tennessee: A Comparison of Two-Stage Probit Least Squares and Multilayer Neural Network Models

The impact of an urban growth boundary (UGB) on land development in Knox County, TN is estimated via two-stage probit and neural-network models. The insignificance of UGB variable in the two-stage probit model and more visible development patterns in the western part of Knoxville and the neighboring town of Farragut during the post-UGB period in both models suggest that the UGB has not curtailed urban sprawl. Although the network model is found to be a viable alternative to more conventional discrete choice approach for improving the predictability of land development, it is at the cost of evaluating marginal effects.

Food Demand and Savings in a Complete, Extended, Linear Expenditure System

Demand equations derived from the classical, constrained, utility-maximization problem state that quantities demanded are functions of all prices and income. An implication is that consumer purchase decisions are interrelated and should be viewed from a systems context. Recent economic events have focused attention on the high prices of energy, medical services, food, and housing, as well as the low level of consumer savings. Such concerns make it desirable that we have estimates of a set of parameters which will allow inferences to be made about the probable response of food demand and savings to changes in consumer income and a comprehensive set of consumer prices. The purpose of this note is to present and compare the parameter estimates and systems projections obtained from two alternative formulations of Lluchs extended linear expenditure system (ELES). Savings is explicitly introduced into both variants by the constrained maximization procedure. From a practical viewpoint, we delineate a set of demand categories which we feel are more relevant to the study of current economic problems than those used in most published studies.

INCORPORATING SUBSISTENCE INTO A PROBIT ANALYSIS OF HOUSEHOLD NUTRITION LEVELS

Previous nutrient demand and consumption analyses show that several economic and sociodemographic variables are often associated with intakes. However, most of the literature does not account for differences among individuals within households. This study reviewed possible definitions of nutrient differences with respect to nutritional needs. Nutrient levels defined by the Thrifty Food Plan were used as subsistence levels for households in the 1977-78 Nationwide Food Consumption Survey. Probit analysis showed that the usual variables found related to nutrient intakes did not differentiate among subsistence groups. Household life cycle and working female heads influenced whether the household was under its requirement level.

Household demand for food attributes

Characteristics theory assumes consumers derive utility from the properties of products consumers purchase in the marketplace. These properties are called characteristics, or attributes. Existing models distinguish between common and unique attributes. Common attributes are acquired from more than one product, whereas a unique attribute is acquired from a single product. Each product in these models generates both common attributes and a unique characteristic. This distinction can be a limitation when examining categories of products that only produce a common set of characteristics such as occurs with food.

Adaptive habit persistence in a system of demand equations

Abstract The LES has desirable properties as a tool to analyze consumer expenditure patterns. It is a system to equations permitting the researcher to deal with expenditure categories. The model is based upon the habit persistence of consumers. This model has its analytical foundation in the theory of consumer behavior, and it provides an excellent fit to the consumption data. Two modifications of the LES were combined and incorporated into the model. Previous studies treated these modifications separately. The modifications allow for systematic changes over time in the status quo expenditures and the allocation proportions. Estimations of the model utilized a generalized least squares iteration procedure. The results were consistent with theoretical considerations and provided estimates of consumer sensitivity to income and price changes in all expenditure categories considered. Clothing and shoes have the highest habit persistence proportion followed by housing and durables of surplus funds were identified. These changes in consumer behavior indicate a growing share of funds being allocated to durables. Food and beverage, clothing and shoes, and transportation have experienced declines in their allocation proportions. No significant change in housing is observed.