Skip to main content

Nutrition and Public Policy in Advanced Economies

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics
  • 15 Accesses

Abstract

This article discusses the measurement of nutritional status of populations and examines two classes of tools that policymakers in advanced economies can use to improve nutrition: targeted food and nutrition programmes, and regulation of the food industry. It presents an overview of the economic rationale for providing nutrition programmes (rather than cash assistance), as well as an analysis of some of the difficulties of providing aid in kind – one of the chief difficulties is low take-up of programme benefits by eligible citizens. The overview of regulations suggests that measures aimed at improving nutrition information may be especially attractive.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 6,499.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 8,499.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Bibliography

  • Bhattacharya, J., J. Currie, and S. Haider. 2004. Poverty, food insecurity, and nutritional outcomes in children and adults. Journal of Health Economics 23: 839–862.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Besley, T., and S. Coate. 1991. Public provision of private goods and the redistribution of income. American Economic Review 81: 979–984.

    Google Scholar 

  • Besley, T., and S. Coate. 1995. The design of income maintenance programs. Review of Economic Studies 62: 187–221.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blackorby, C., and D. Donaldson. 1988. Cash versus kind, self-selection and efficient transfers. American Economic Review 78: 691–700.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bruce, N., and M. Waldman. 1991. Transfers in kind: Why they can be efficient and nonpaternalistic. American Economic Review 81: 1345–1351.

    Google Scholar 

  • Currie, J. 2006a. The invisible safety net: Protecting poor children and families. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Currie, J. 2006b. The take-up of social benefits. In Poverty, the distribution of income, and public policy, ed. A. Auerbach, D. Card, and J. Quigley. New York: Russell Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Currie, J., and E. Moretti. 2007. Biology as destiny? Short and long-run determinants of intergenerational transmission of birth weight. Journal of Labor Economics 25: 231–264.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cutler, D., E. Glaeser, and J. Shapiro. 2003. Why have Americans become more obese? Journal of Economic Perspectives 17(3): 93–118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fogel, R. 1994. Economics growth, population theory, and physiology: The bearing of long-term processes on the making of economic policy. American Economic Review 84: 369–395.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guardian. 2006. Supermarkets feel junk food ad ban bite. The Guardian, November 27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Institute of Medicine. 2006. Food marketing to children and youth: Threat or opportunity? ed. M. McGinnis, G. Jennifer, and K. Vivica. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ippolito, P., and A. Mathios. 1990. Information, advertising and health choices. RAND Journal of Economics 21: 459–480.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ippolito, P., and A. Mathios. 1995. Information and advertising: The case of fat consumption in the United States. American Economic Review 85: 91–95.

    Google Scholar 

  • National Research Council. 2003. Estimating eligibility and participation in the WIC program. Washington, DC: National Research Council.

    Google Scholar 

  • Neuberger, Z., and R. Greenstein. 2003. What have we learned from FNS’ new research findings about overcertification in the school meals programs? Washington, DC: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whitmore, D. 2002. What are food stamps worth? Working Paper No. 468. Industrial Relations Section, Princeton University.

    Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization. 2005. The challenge ofobesity in the WHO European Region. Fact sheet EURO/13/05. Geneva: World Health Organization.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Copyright information

© 2018 Macmillan Publishers Ltd.

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Currie, J. (2018). Nutrition and Public Policy in Advanced Economies. In: The New Palgrave Dictionary of Economics. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-349-95189-5_2058

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics