Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/36222 
Year of Publication: 
2009
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 4378
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
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.
Subjects: 
Time use
BMI
household production
JEL: 
J10
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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