UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Roche, Erin
Dept./Program:
Community Development and Applied Economics
Year:
2008
Degree:
MS
Abstract:
Healthy weight is recognized as an important contributor to health, and one of the few inputs that can be directly affected by the individual. A healthy weight results from a balance of energy intake (good nutrition) and energy expenditure (physical activity, including non-motorized transportation). Travel and eating are two common activities that nearly everyone engages in, but judging from current statistics on obesity, very few people perform these activities in ways that maximize their utility of good health capital. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a community program to increase use of nonmotorized commute modes and the likely effect of a potential policy to provide nutrition information in away from home venues (i.e., restaurants).
Nutrition quality in the U.S. largely depends on many factors including information about nutrition and health, access to high quality nutritional choices and social norms. This study controls for social nosms in the population studied and measures the effect of information in a setting where the consumers have access to a wide variety of food available for purchase. Based on economic theory, consumers will invest in themselves through time and education in order to increase their earnings, or otherwise maximize their utility. Information is used to better understand what alternatives are available and the relative values of each alternative.
With the price of gasoline expected to continue to increase, commuters are more motivated than ever to reevaluate mode choice. The media reports increases in transit trips as well as creative alternatives to solo driving. By linking cost savings and health benefits of non-motorized commuting, policymakers and proponents of alternative commute modes may be able to affect change in mode choice. While this research has shown that economic incentives may not greatly increase demand for non-motorized commute trips, the literature and economic models show that policy solutions do affect demand for commute modes. Further research is needed to determine the appropriate mix of policy solutions (economic, land use, social) to encourage non-motorized commuting, as well as to size the potential market for non-motorized commuting as even with supportive policies, non-motorized commuting may not be feasible for the majority of commuters.
The new DGA and accompanying MyPyramid system provides a framework that helps Americans determine what and how much to eat. Persuading Americans to follow these guidelines could help address the obesity epidemic. As this study shows, education and point of purchase information make a difference in aligning student consumption habits with the MyPyramid system guidelines. Students who are exposed to both nutrition information and education were more likely to meet or exceed the MyPyramid guidelines for fruit and dairy but not for vegetables or whole grains. Some of this discrepancy may be explained by the choices available in the dining facility. While providing information in a restaurant setting may be a necessary tool to making healthier choices, it is not sufficient if healthy choices are not as appealing in presentation and as timely and accessible as less healthy alternatives.
Nutrition quality in the U.S. largely depends on many factors including information about nutrition and health, access to high quality nutritional choices and social norms. This study controls for social nosms in the population studied and measures the effect of information in a setting where the consumers have access to a wide variety of food available for purchase. Based on economic theory, consumers will invest in themselves through time and education in order to increase their earnings, or otherwise maximize their utility. Information is used to better understand what alternatives are available and the relative values of each alternative.
With the price of gasoline expected to continue to increase, commuters are more motivated than ever to reevaluate mode choice. The media reports increases in transit trips as well as creative alternatives to solo driving. By linking cost savings and health benefits of non-motorized commuting, policymakers and proponents of alternative commute modes may be able to affect change in mode choice. While this research has shown that economic incentives may not greatly increase demand for non-motorized commute trips, the literature and economic models show that policy solutions do affect demand for commute modes. Further research is needed to determine the appropriate mix of policy solutions (economic, land use, social) to encourage non-motorized commuting, as well as to size the potential market for non-motorized commuting as even with supportive policies, non-motorized commuting may not be feasible for the majority of commuters.
The new DGA and accompanying MyPyramid system provides a framework that helps Americans determine what and how much to eat. Persuading Americans to follow these guidelines could help address the obesity epidemic. As this study shows, education and point of purchase information make a difference in aligning student consumption habits with the MyPyramid system guidelines. Students who are exposed to both nutrition information and education were more likely to meet or exceed the MyPyramid guidelines for fruit and dairy but not for vegetables or whole grains. Some of this discrepancy may be explained by the choices available in the dining facility. While providing information in a restaurant setting may be a necessary tool to making healthier choices, it is not sufficient if healthy choices are not as appealing in presentation and as timely and accessible as less healthy alternatives.