Grazing, Goods and Girth: Determinants and Effects

Daniel Hamermesh

No 15277, NBER Working Papers from National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc

Abstract: Using the 2006-07 American Time Use Survey and its Eating and Health Module, I show that over half of adult Americans report grazing (secondary eating/drinking) on a typical day, with grazing time almost equaling primary eating/drinking time. An economic model predicts that higher wage rates (price of time) will lead to substitution of grazing for primary eating/drinking, especially by raising the number of grazing incidents relative to meals. This prediction is confirmed in these data. Eating meals more frequently is associated with lower BMI and better self-reported health, as is grazing more frequently. Food purchases are positively related to time spent eating--substitution of goods for time is difficult--but are lower when eating time is spread over more meals.

JEL-codes: I12 J10 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2009-08
Note: LS
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

Published as Hamermesh, Daniel S. "Grazing, Goods and Girth: Determinants and Effects." Economics and Human Biolgoy, Vol 8, No. 1, March 2010, pp. 2-15.

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Related works:
Working Paper: GRAZING, GOODS AND GIRTH: DETERMINANTS AND EFFECTS (2009)
Working Paper: Grazing, Goods and Girth: Determinants and Effects (2009)
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