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Applying Experimental Economics to Obesity in the Family Household

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 January 2015

Mariah D. Ehmke ,
Travis Warziniack ,
Christiane Schroeter  and
Kari Morgan
Mariah D. Ehmke
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
Travis Warziniack
Affiliation:
Department of Economics and Finance, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
Christiane Schroeter
Affiliation:
Department of Agribusiness, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA
Kari Morgan
Affiliation:
Department of Family and Consumer Science, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
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Abstract

The objective of this study is to identify experimental economic tools that can be employed to explain the role of economic behavior in overweight and obesity in the household. We identify three economic experiments that can be used to understand how parent-child economic relationships relate to obesity. Loss aversion experiments are discussed as a tool to understand challenges some individuals face in achieving a healthy diet. Finally, testbed experiments are introduced as a means to test and understand new policies and incentives for better health at the household level.

Keywords

“carrot stick”child obesitydiscount rategenerosityloss aversionparent-childpunishmenttrustI19Q18D01D63
Type
Invited Paper Sessions
Information
Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics , Volume 40 , Issue 2 , August 2008 , pp. 539 - 549
Copyright
Copyright © Southern Agricultural Economics Association 2008

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