1. The demand for calories in developing countries
- Author
-
P.J. Dawson
- Subjects
Economic growth ,Calorie ,Income distribution ,Urbanization ,Geography, Planning and Development ,Food aid ,Economics ,Developing country ,Demographic economics ,Development ,Per capita income ,Income elasticity of demand ,Calorie intake - Abstract
Empirical analyses of calorie intake response to income have produced strong disagreement with some showing a low and statistically insignificant effect. Using cross‐sectional data for 41 developing countries in 1992, calorie intake is significantly determined by per capita income, income distribution, income growth, urbanization, food aid and socio‐cultural factors. The estimated income elasticity is significant, around 0.07, while that with respect to urbanization is about 0.17. Inadequate calorie intake is caused by low levels of economic development in general, rather than by low income in particular. Policies aimed at alleviating inadequate calorie intake should not focus on income alone.
- Published
- 1997
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