Impact of different policies on unhealthy dietary behaviors in an urban adult population: An agent-based simulation model

D. Zhang, P.J. Giabbanelli, O.A. Arah and F.J. Zimmerman

American Journal of Public Health, 2014, vol. 104, issue 7, 1217-1222

Abstract: Objectives. Unhealthy eating is a complex-system problem. We used agentbased modeling to examine the effects of different policies on unhealthy eating behaviors. Methods. We developed an agent-based simulation model to represent a synthetic population of adults in Pasadena, CA, and how they make dietary decisions. Data from the 2007 Food Attitudes and Behaviors Survey and other empirical studies were used to calibrate the parameters of the model. Simulations were performed to contrast the potential effects of various policies on the evolution of dietary decisions. Results. Our model showed that a 20% increase in taxes on fast foods would lower the probability of fast-food consumption by 3 percentage points, whereas improving the visibility of positive social norms by 10%, either through community-based or mass-media campaigns, could improve the consumption of fruits and vegetables by 7 percentage points and lower fast-food consumption by 6 percentage points. Zoning policies had no significant impact. Conclusions. Interventions emphasizing healthy eating norms may be more effective than directly targeting food prices or regulating local food outlets. Agent-basedmodelingmay be a useful tool for testing the population-level effects of various policies within complex systems.

Keywords: adolescent; adult; age; article; behavior; computer simulation; cost; decision making; diet; educational status; feeding behavior; female; human; male; middle aged; policy; sex difference; theoretical model; United States; urban population; young adult, Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Behavior; California; Computer Simulation; Costs and Cost Analysis; Decision Making; Diet; Educational Status; Female; Food Habits; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Models, Theoretical; Policy; Sex Factors; Urban Population; Young Adult (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2014.301934_5

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.301934

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