A copula-based clustering algorithm to analyse EU country diets

F. Marta L. Di Lascio and Marta Disegna
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Marta Disegna: Bournemouth University, Executive Business Centre

No BAFES04, BAFES Working Papers from Department of Accounting, Finance & Economic, Bournemouth University

Abstract: The aim of the paper is to suggest a novel clustering technique to explore the changes of the food diet in 40 European countries in accordance with common European policies and guidelines on healthy diets and lifestyles. The proposed clustering algorithm is based on copulas and it is called CoClust. The CoClust algorithm is able to find clusters according to the multivariate dependence structure of the data generating process. The database analysed contains information on the proportions of calories from 16 food aggregates in 40 European countries observed over 40 years by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The findings suggest that European country diets are changing, individually or as a group, but not in a unique direction. Central and Eastern European countries are becoming unhealthier, while the tendency followed by the majority of the remaining countries is to integrate the common European guidelines on healthy, balanced, and diversified diets in their national policies.

Keywords: Clustering; CoClust; Healthy diet; Convergence; Dietary energy; EU countries (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C10 E20 I10 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 31 pages
Date: 2016-10
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-eur
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