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Author: Zhang, Qi (Harry)
Resulting in 1 citation.
1. Zhang, Qi (Harry)
Chen, Zhu (Adam)
Impact of Local Food Prices on the Relationship Between Food Stamp Program Participation and Bodyweight Status of Adults in the South
Presented: Washington, DC, Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Innovation and Development Grants in Economics (RIDGE) Conference, October 2007.
Also: http://www.ers.usda.gov/bRIEFING/FOODNUTRITIONASSISTANCE/Funding/RIDGEprojectSummary.asp?Summary_ID=154
Cohort(s): NLSY79
Publisher: Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Program
Keyword(s): Body Mass Index (BMI); Nutritional Status/Nutrition/Consumption Behaviors; Obesity; Record Linkage (also see Data Linkage); Weight

Permission to reprint the abstract has not been received from the publisher.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between local food prices and body weight of adults who are eligible for the Food Stamp Program (FSP). The Southern States observe the highest regional prevalence of obesity and overweight people in the United States, while the regional FSP participation rates are above the national average. Some evidence suggests that FSP participation may distort participants' food consumption choices, making participants prone to obesity. However, the possible impact of local food prices on the body weight of FSP participants has yet to be considered. The study will use the Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and County codes to merge data from the National Longitudinal Study of Youth 1979 cohorts (NLSY79) with the Cost of Living Index published by the American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association (ACCRA). Using the merged data, the study will employ panel econometric models to examine the impact of prices of various foods (healthy vs. unhealthy) on the body weight status of adults with low socioeconomic status. The hypothesis is that local food prices could affect FSP participants' food consumption choices and hence affect their bodyweight status. The results of this study could provide implications for policymakers on whether adjustment of the FSP benefits based on local food prices should be considered to alleviate the potential distortion of food consumption.
Bibliography Citation
Zhang, Qi (Harry) and Zhu (Adam) Chen. "Impact of Local Food Prices on the Relationship Between Food Stamp Program Participation and Bodyweight Status of Adults in the South." Presented: Washington, DC, Food Assistance and Nutrition Research Innovation and Development Grants in Economics (RIDGE) Conference, October 2007.