Level Of Food Expenditure Research Articles

Food-Related Consumer Behavior Endorsing European Food Chain Sustainability—A Marketing Study on the Romanian Consumer

The efforts of regulators and food industry actors to achieve ambitious European sustainability objectives should not only be based on, but also supported by, consumers’ behavior, since customers’ demand has the ability to determine changes in the whole food system. This paper’s systemic approach to customers’ sustainable food-related habits and opinions during purchase, consumption and waste management offers a comprehensive view of their decision criteria, their motivations and their preferred incentives. Researching the Romanian consumer’s sustainable habits yields some results which confirm findings of previous studies, including customers’ distrust of sustainable labels and ecological products being considered too expensive. Meanwhile, other results offer novel insights on the matter, such as distrust in the European Union food policy and the high importance of proximity both for retailers and for recycling facilities. Four customer profiles with different interests and behaviors were identified: the Principled, adopting many sustainable behaviors out of principle, despite their low level of food expenditures; the Wannabes, adopting some fashionable sustainable habits; and the Privileged and the Sceptics, adopting very few sustainable habits, the first to ensure their social and economic status and the second to save some money.

Analysis of Food Expenditure in Perak

This study aims to analyze food expenditure among the community in Perak. There are three objectives targeted in this study including: 1) identify the level of food expenditure, 2) identify the relationship between demographic factors with food expenditure and 3) analyze the factors influencing food expenditure. This quantitative study used a set of questionnaire as an instrument to obtain the necessary information. A total of 206 respondents were involved in this study through snowball sampling. All selected respondents were heads of families living in the state of Perak. Descriptive analysis showed that the mean food expenditure was RM1,301.89. In addition, the findings of the study also showed that there was significant relationship between age and education with food expenditure. The significance value was 0.05, multiple regression analysis showed that consciousness, personal and religious factors were significantly positive while social factors were significantly negative. Media was found as the only factor that was not significant. In conclusion, food spending in the state of Perak is high and this situation is driven by many factors. This included the supply of food at affordable prices, the function of the authorities to promote food, high supply of ready and unfinished food and so on. The implications of the study have highlighted the importance of expenditure planning especially to every head of the family. This is important to ensure that the residents in Perak have sufficient knowledge on the selection of good healthy foods.

Income Variability, Evolving Diets, and Elasticity Estimation of Demand for Processed Foods in Nigeria

We present evidence on evolving dietary patterns in Nigeria using six rounds of household consumption data from the Nigerian General Household Survey panel between 2011 and 2016. First, following conventional definitions in the literature, we show that Nigeria has not shown any aggregate increase in consumption of highly processed foods over this period, contrary to patterns observed elsewhere in the region. In fact, consumption of highly processed foods at home has declined, while food consumed away from home, often assumed to be highly processed, has risen substantially. We then show that estimates of food expenditure elasticities of different food types are highly sensitive to different estimation approaches and raise concerns about some frequently used methods in the literature. In the absence of credible exogenous variation, we argue for the importance of panel methods and household fixed effects to control for time invariant factors likely to confound cross‐sectional estimates. Finally, we examine semiparametric Engel curves for different food groups and find that apparent curvature in the relationships between food budget shares and overall food expenditure levels in the raw data become nearly linear when removing variation explained by time‐invariant household factors.

The food expenditure in Poland and other European Union countries – a comparative analysis

The purpose of this paper is to present the results and conclusions of a comparative analysis of Poland and other European Union countries regarding the level of food expenditure, the share of food expenditure in the structure of total expenditure and the direction of changes in these areas that took place in the years 2006-2016.
 The conducted analysis employed the desk research method using logical inference methods, based on Eurostat data and academic literature. For a more detailed analysis of the research findings, a cluster analysis was carried out using one of the hierarchical methods – the Ward’s method.
 The obtained results of the analyses permitted the conclusion that disproportionate food consumption in the household sector between individual countries should still be considered as large – although the differentiation clearly decreased in the analysed period. The less developed countries from Central and Eastern Europe are still far from adopting the service consumption model that would allow for a more complete satisfaction of higher-ranking needs.

Zinc deficiency as risk factor for stunting among children aged 2-5 years

<p><strong>Background</strong></p><p>Stunting is a nutritional problem in the form of linear growth disturbance caused by low intake of macro- and micronutrients. The prevalence of stunting in children aged 2-5 years in Semarang is higher in well-to-do families (67.2%) than in poor families (32.8%). The purpose of this study was to analyze the role of low adequacy levels of vitamin C, iron, zinc and low food expenditure as risk factors of stunting among children aged 2-5 years.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Method</strong><strong>s</strong></p><p>This was a case-control study with a sample of 71 cases (stunting) and 71 controls (no stunting). The collected variables were adequacy levels of vitamin C, iron, zinc and level of food expenditure. Nutrient intake data were obtained with the semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), while data on food expenditure were obtained through a food expenditure questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using simple and multivariate logistic regression method.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Result</strong><strong>s</strong></p><p>The results of the simple logistic regression showed that low levels of vitamin C ( OR=2.97; 95% CI=1.41 – 6.31), iron (OR=2.87; 95% CI=1.44 – 5.71) and zinc (OR=9.24; 95% CI=2.02 – 42.12) were risk factors of stunting. Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factor that most affected stunting was a low level of zinc (OR=6.39; 95% CI=1.34 – 30.33). A low level of food expenditure was not proven to influence the incidence of stunting.<strong></strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Conclusion</strong><strong>s</strong></p><p>A low level of zinc was the risk factor that most affects stunting in children aged 2-5 years. Preventive strategies to prevent stunting and promote healthy eating is recommended.</p>

Income disparities and their impact on the level and development of food expenditures of households in Slovakia

Paper evaluates development and changes in the level of households food expenditures in Slovakia, which occurred after the accession of Slovakia to the European Union in 2004 and began to apply the rules of the Common Agricultural Policy and using of means of support. Free movement of goods, labor and capital has contributed to the increase of goods and services supply and living standards as well as to the increase in households income differentiation. Until 2012, households in the lowest income quartile possess on average with only 34.1 % per year of the revenue compared with income in the highest fourth quartile of income category. The results of the analysis show a different behavior in the food market. Most sensitive to the change in income and price levels of food expenditures for food responded in families with the lowest incomes (EI = 0.28). With the increase in prices of cereals (bread) by one percentage unit-demand declined by an average by 0.49 % (Epi = −0.49), the demand for cheese by 0.65 % (Epi = −0.654) and the demand for meat by 0.275 % (Epi = −0.275).

Frozen food consumption in Turkey: A case study for the town of Tokat

In this investigation, frozen food consumption by households in the town of Tokat in Turkey was studied, and factors affecting the consumption were tested using chi-square analysis. In addition, analysis of variance was also performed in order to determine whether there was a relationship between socio-economic conditions and monthly frozen food consumption by households. Data used in the study were obtained from 269 households through a questionnaire conducted in April and May, 2009. According to the results of the study, 72.12% of the households consumed frozen foods. Of frozen foods, households preferred frozen vegetables most (93.30%) and seafood least (72.16%). Frozen food consumption had statistically significant correlations with gender, marital status and income level but not with household size, monthly household income, age, working of spouse, monthly food expenditure and education level. Variance analysis showed that there were significant differences for frozen food expenditures among different income levels, food expenditure levels, education levels, working or non-working status of spouse and professions. Key words: Consumer preference, household preference, food expenditure.

Nationwide shifts in the double burden of overweight and underweight in Vietnamese adults in 2000 and 2005: two national nutrition surveys

BackgroundIn developing countries, overweight prevalence is increasing while underweight prevalence is still high. This situation is known as the double nutrition burden. Both underweight and overweight are related to increased risk of chronic non-communicable diseases, reduced well-being and quality of life. This study aims to compare the prevalence of overweight and underweight among Vietnamese adults in 2000 and 2005.MethodsThe study was based on two nationally representative surveys, the National Nutrition Survey 2000 (14,452 subjects) and the National Adult Obesity Survey 2005 (17,213 subjects). Adults aged 25-64 years were sampled to be nationally representative. Multiple multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association of underweight and overweight with socio-economic indicators.ResultsThe distribution of BMI across the population and population groups indicated a shift towards higher BMI levels in 2005 as compared to 2000. The nationwide prevalence of overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) was 6.6% and 0.4% respectively in 2005, almost twice the rates of 2000 (3.5% and 0.2%). Using the Asian BMI cut-off of 23 kg/m2 the overweight prevalence was 16.3% in 2005 and 11.7% in 2000. In contrast, the underweight prevalence (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2) of 20.9% in 2005 was lower than the rate of 25.0% in 2000. Women were more likely to be both underweight and overweight as compared to men in both 2000 and 2005. Urban residents were more likely to be overweight and less likely to be underweight as compared to rural residents in both years. The shifts from underweight to overweight were clearer among the higher food expenditure levels.ConclusionsThe double nutrition burden was clearly present in Vietnam. The distribution of BMI across the population groups generally indicated a shift towards higher BMI levels in 2005 as compared to 2000. The prevalence of overweight was increased while the declined level of undernutrition was still high in 2005. The shifts of underweight to overweight were most obvious among population groups with higher food expenditure levels.

The status of household food security targets in South Africa

This article investigates the conceptual and methodological challenges to develop a set of baseline indicators for South African food security targets. A food security target is a well-defined and measurable goal to reduce the numbers of people who lack enough food of the right quality to live healthy lives. To derive baseline indicators for household food security, the following question is asked: what is the average cost of a nutritionally adequate food basket per person? The cost of recommended nutrient intake is based on estimates of dietary energy costs. Reported food expenditure for each household based on 2005/2006 Income and Expenditure Survey data gets compared to two dietary energy cost baskets. The food expenditure shares of the poorest households vary between 38% and 71% according to different surveys. At food expenditure levels reported in the IES, one in five households meet their average dietary energy cost. Deep levels of food insecurity exist in rural areas with 85% of rural households unable to afford even the ‘below average dietary energy costs’. Food security policy based on refined baseline indicators can better target food insecure households. Another policy benefit is that robust indicators help to develop effective monitoring capabilities.

Which little piggy goes to market? Characteristics of US farmers' market shoppers

AbstractThe growth in farmers' markets in the US has raised questions about whether they are a niche market or appeal to a broader population. Using a simple, random sample of US food shoppers, this study uses a test of means to examine whether there are differences in characteristics between those who shop at farmers' markets and those who do not. A key finding was that there was no significant difference in the level of food expenditures between shoppers and non‐shoppers. In addition, a probit model was used to examine the marginal effects of attitudinal, behavioural and demographic variables on the probability of shopping at a farmers' market. The probability was significantly increased by the following: enjoyment and frequency of cooking, being female and the presence of another adult in the household. Income did not significantly influence the probability of shopping at a farmers' market. However, the probability of shopping at a farmers' market was significantly reduced if respondents perceived that cost was the most important characteristic of food. These characteristics imply limited appeal of farmers' markets currently to convenience‐oriented, single‐person, and single‐parent households.

Child Welfare and Old-Age Security in Female Headed Households in Tanzania

This paper is concerned with patterns of expenditure and child welfare among female headed (FHH) and male headed households (MHH) in Tanzania as well as with the underlying cause of potentially different patterns. I estimate semiparametric Engel curves to investigate household expenditure patterns while controlling for household characteristics and find that FHH spend significantly more money on the welfare of children and less on consumption of adult goods. In an attempt to explain this observed difference, I further investigate the empirical content of the old-age security hypothesis, which states that persons lacking the financial means to rely on themselves during old-age invest more in children who care for them in later periods. The results lend support to the idea that old-age security might be the driving force behind the observed differences of expenditure allocated towards the welfare of children. FHH having access to alternative means of old-age security, spend significantly less on child welfare. Furthermore, food expenditure levels of FHH and MHH with access to alternative old-age security become the same.

Trends in overweight by socio-economic status in Vietnam: 1992 to 2002

To explore socio-economic factors associated with rising rates of overweight among Vietnamese adults. The study was based on three national surveys of socio-economic factors and health conducted over a 10-year period. The studies were: the Vietnamese Living Standard Survey 1992-1993 (11 982 participants); the Vietnamese Living Standard Survey 1997-1998 (15 975 participants); and the Vietnamese National Health Survey 2001-2002 (94 656 participants). Male and female adults >18 years old were stratified by gender, age group, area of residence, occupation, education and relative food expenditures. Overweight was defined using body mass index (BMI) > or = 25 kg m(-2). Overweight rates in Vietnam more than doubled between 1992 and 2002 (from 2.0 to 5.7%). Significant increases were observed for men and women, in urban and rural areas, and for all age groups. In univariate analyses, both age and higher socio-economic status were associated with higher rates of overweight. Using the most recent survey, urban populations were more likely to be overweight than rural ones (odds ratio (OR) = 1.79), white-collar workers were more likely to be overweight than manual labourers (OR = 1.95) and persons in the top level of food expenditures were more likely to be overweight than persons in the bottom level (OR = 4.96) after adjustment for other factors. Education was inversely associated with overweight after adjusting for covariates. Economic growth and improved standard of living are associated with higher rates of overweight in nations in early stages of economic development. In Vietnam, higher rates of overweight were observed among the higher income and occupation groups.

Household Production of Food: Expenditures, Norms, And Satisfaction

Pearson product moment correlations and multiple regression were used in this study to analyze the relationship between household production of food and the level of food expenditures; a household's assessment of the quantity and variety of food consumed; and a household's satisfaction with the quantity and variety of food consumed. Households that did more household production of food tended to have lower expenditures for food and to report their food to be of higher quantity and variety, when compared to a norm. Food expenditures were positively related to the household's reported comparison of its food to a norm and satisfaction with its food. A household's comparison of the variety and quantity of its food to a norm was positively related to its satisfaction with its food.