GLP-1 Use and Protein Demand

Justin D. Bina, Glynn T. Tonsor and Timothy J. Richards

No 379045, 2026 Allied Social Sciences Association (ASSA) Annual Meeting, January 3-5, 2026, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from Agricultural and Applied Economics Association

Abstract: The use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists for weight loss is reshaping food demand, particularly for protein. This research estimates how GLP-1 use alters protein demand curves using methods of causal inference applied to structural demand modeling. Data from a public survey are balanced via matching to address endogenous selection into GLP-1 treatment. Demand shifts and rotations are then estimated using a discrete choice model and an Almost Ideal Demand System. GLP-1 use increases willingness-to-pay for most evaluated protein products, though the effects vary by product and outlet. Own-price elasticities for several retail products become up to 0.22 more inelastic. Our findings of shift effects of GLP-1 use on protein demand indicate externalities that are internal to the U.S. food system and that extend beyond simple consumption changes.

Keywords: Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety; AIDS; Health Economics and Policy; demand transformation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 54
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:assa26:379045

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.379045

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