David Just - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by David Just
State-sponsored lotteries are a lucrative source of revenue. Despite their low payout rates, lott... more State-sponsored lotteries are a lucrative source of revenue. Despite their low payout rates, lotteries are extremely popular, particularly among low-income citizens. State officials laud the benefits of lottery proceeds and promote the fun and excitement of participation. This entertainment value is one explanation for lottery demand by the poor: individuals with lower incomes substitute lottery play for other entertainment. Alternatively,
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Objective: The current study examines the impact of a nutrition rating system on consumers' food ... more Objective: The current study examines the impact of a nutrition rating system on consumers' food purchases in supermarkets. Design: Aggregate sales data for 102 categories of food (over 60 000 brands) on a weekly basis for 2005–2007 from a supermarket chain of over 150 stores are analysed. Change in weekly sales of nutritious and less nutritious foods, after the introduction of a nutrition rating system on store shelves, is calculated, controlling for seasonality and time trends in sales. Setting: One hundred and sixty-eight supermarket stores in the northeast USA, Subjects: Consumers purchasing goods at the supermarket chain during the study period.
Results: After the introduction of the nutrition ratings, overall weekly food sales declined by an average of 3637 units per category (95 % CI –5961, –1313; P < 0·01). Sales of less nutritious foods fell by 8·31 % (95 % CI –13·50, –2·80 %; P = 0·004), while sales of nutritious foods did not change significantly (P = 0·21); as a result, the percentage of food purchases rated as nutritious rose by 1·39 % (95 % CI 0·58, 2·20 %; P < 0·01). The decrease in sales of less nutritious foods was greatest in the categories of canned meat and fish, soda pop, bakery and canned vegetables.
Conclusions: The introduction of the nutrition ratings led shoppers to buy a more nutritious mix of products. Interestingly, it did so by reducing purchases of less nutritious foods rather than by increasing purchases of nutritious foods. In evaluating nutrition information systems, researchers should focus on the entire market basket, not just sales of nutritious foods.
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Background: Concession stands at high school events are exempt from the US Department of Agricult... more Background: Concession stands at high school events are exempt from the US Department of Agriculture regulations for school foods. Concessions are generally stocked with unhealthy foods since healthy foods are believed to have lower sales and profit margins.
Methods Concession stand sales for two seasons of high school fall sports in Muscatine, Iowa were compared. In between seasons, two types of changes were made: (i) addition of new healthier concession options and (ii) substitution of healthier ingredients (less saturated fat, no trans fat). Satisfaction surveys of students and parents were conducted before and after the changes. Data were collected in 2008 and 2009 and analyzed in 2012–13.
Results: Revenue per game was similar between years, even with the introduction of healthier items and ingredient changes. In 2009, the new healthy foods comprised 9.2% of total revenue and sales of some new items increased with each game. The 'healthy makeover' had no influence on student satisfaction but it improved parent satisfaction (P , 0.001).
Conclusions: This compelling test of concept shows that offering healthier items can be good for both sales and satisfaction. While this study was conducted with concession stands, the principles can be carried over into other food retail settings.
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Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 2014
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Choices, 2001
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Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics, Sep 1, 2002
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American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 2015
ABSTRACT In economic models of behavior, consumers are assumed to value the goods and services th... more ABSTRACT In economic models of behavior, consumers are assumed to value the goods and services they purchase based on stable preferences over externally identifiable attributes such as quality. These models predict that consumers will respond to changes in price in a way that is independent of the source of the price change. Yet research in the behavioral sciences indicates that consumers that are emotionally attached to a consumption good or other behavior might respond with resistance when policies threaten their consumption or behavior. Moreover, policies that in fact validate some emotional attachments can stir a stronger preference for the good or behavior. Reviewing both survey and experimental data from the literature, we demonstrate how such emotional responses can create hidden costs to policy implementation that could not be detected using standard welfare economic techniques. Building upon Rabin's work on fairness in games, we propose a partial equilibrium model of emotional response to policy whereby preferences are endogenous to policy choices. In accordance with evidence both from our own analysis and the field, we propose that confrontational policies (such as a sin tax) increase the marginal utility for a good, and that validating policies (such as a subsidy) also increases the marginal utility for a good. A social planner that ignores potential emotional responses to policy changes may unwittingly induce significant dead weight loss. Using our model, we propose a feasible method to determine if emotional deadweight costs exist, and to place a lower bound on the size of these costs.
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Economic Development and Cultural Change, 2014
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Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, Apr 1, 2012
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... Obesity Reviews 2011;12(501):e54-e63. CrossRef. ↵: Huang Y.,; Huffman W.,; Tegene A. Impacts ... more ... Obesity Reviews 2011;12(501):e54-e63. CrossRef. ↵: Huang Y.,; Huffman W.,; Tegene A. Impacts of Economic and Psychological Factors on Women's Obesity and Food Assistance Program Participation: Evidence from the NLSY. American Journal of Agricultural Economics. ...
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Replaced with revised version of paper on 10/26/10.
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This paper analyzes carbon leakage due to reduced emissions from deforestation (RED). We find tha... more This paper analyzes carbon leakage due to reduced emissions from deforestation (RED). We find that leakage with RED is good because the policy induces afforestation that contributes to a further carbon sequestration. By ignoring the domestic component of carbon leakage, the literature can either overestimate or underestimate leakage, depending on the magnitudes of the numerator and the denominator of the
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We show carbon leakage depends on the type of biofuel policy (tax credit versus mandate), the dom... more We show carbon leakage depends on the type of biofuel policy (tax credit versus mandate), the domestic and foreign gasoline supply and fuel demand elasticities, and on consumption and production shares of world oil markets for the country introducing the biofuel policy. The components of carbon leakage – market leakage and emissions savings – are counteracting: carbon leakage increases with
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This paper analyzes carbon leakage due to reduced emissions from deforestation (RED). We find tha... more This paper analyzes carbon leakage due to reduced emissions from deforestation (RED). We find that leakage with RED is good because the policy induces afforestation that contributes to a further carbon sequestration. By ignoring the domestic component of carbon leakage, the literature can either overestimate or underestimate leakage, depending on the magnitudes of the numerator and the denominator of the
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We use data from a field experiment at 15 elementary schools to examine the effective of financia... more We use data from a field experiment at 15 elementary schools to examine the effective of financial incentives that increase the fraction of children eating a serving of fruit or vegetable as part of their school lunch. We were able to raise the fraction of children eating fruits or vegetables at lunch by 22 percentage points when offering a nickel each day and by 43 percentage points when offering a quarter (relative to a baseline rate of 33 percentage points). We find that offering a raffle ticket for a cash equivalent prize was less effective than providing a cash reward and that children are more responsive to immediate rewards rather than rewards two weeks in the future.
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We use observational data from 22 elementary schools and over 48,000 child-day observations to ex... more We use observational data from 22 elementary schools and over 48,000 child-day observations to examine the relationship between the number of fruit and vegetable items and the consumption patterns of children during school lunch. We find that each additional fruit or vegetable item that is offered increases the fraction of children who eat at least one serving of fruits and vegetables by 12 percent. We also use our observational data to provide practical information about which items are most likely to be eaten by children during lunch and compare this to the cost and nutritional quality of these items.
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State-sponsored lotteries are a lucrative source of revenue. Despite their low payout rates, lott... more State-sponsored lotteries are a lucrative source of revenue. Despite their low payout rates, lotteries are extremely popular, particularly among low-income citizens. State officials laud the benefits of lottery proceeds and promote the fun and excitement of participation. This entertainment value is one explanation for lottery demand by the poor: individuals with lower incomes substitute lottery play for other entertainment. Alternatively,
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
The global food crises of 2008 and 2010 and the increased price volatility revolve around biofuel... more The global food crises of 2008 and 2010 and the increased price volatility revolve around biofuels policies and their interaction with each other, farm policies and between countries. While a certain degree of research has been conducted on biofuel efficacy and logistics, there is currently no book on the market devoted to the economics of biofuel policies.
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State-sponsored lotteries are a lucrative source of revenue. Despite their low payout rates, lott... more State-sponsored lotteries are a lucrative source of revenue. Despite their low payout rates, lotteries are extremely popular, particularly among low-income citizens. State officials laud the benefits of lottery proceeds and promote the fun and excitement of participation. This entertainment value is one explanation for lottery demand by the poor: individuals with lower incomes substitute lottery play for other entertainment. Alternatively,
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Objective: The current study examines the impact of a nutrition rating system on consumers' food ... more Objective: The current study examines the impact of a nutrition rating system on consumers' food purchases in supermarkets. Design: Aggregate sales data for 102 categories of food (over 60 000 brands) on a weekly basis for 2005–2007 from a supermarket chain of over 150 stores are analysed. Change in weekly sales of nutritious and less nutritious foods, after the introduction of a nutrition rating system on store shelves, is calculated, controlling for seasonality and time trends in sales. Setting: One hundred and sixty-eight supermarket stores in the northeast USA, Subjects: Consumers purchasing goods at the supermarket chain during the study period.
Results: After the introduction of the nutrition ratings, overall weekly food sales declined by an average of 3637 units per category (95 % CI –5961, –1313; P < 0·01). Sales of less nutritious foods fell by 8·31 % (95 % CI –13·50, –2·80 %; P = 0·004), while sales of nutritious foods did not change significantly (P = 0·21); as a result, the percentage of food purchases rated as nutritious rose by 1·39 % (95 % CI 0·58, 2·20 %; P < 0·01). The decrease in sales of less nutritious foods was greatest in the categories of canned meat and fish, soda pop, bakery and canned vegetables.
Conclusions: The introduction of the nutrition ratings led shoppers to buy a more nutritious mix of products. Interestingly, it did so by reducing purchases of less nutritious foods rather than by increasing purchases of nutritious foods. In evaluating nutrition information systems, researchers should focus on the entire market basket, not just sales of nutritious foods.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Background: Concession stands at high school events are exempt from the US Department of Agricult... more Background: Concession stands at high school events are exempt from the US Department of Agriculture regulations for school foods. Concessions are generally stocked with unhealthy foods since healthy foods are believed to have lower sales and profit margins.
Methods Concession stand sales for two seasons of high school fall sports in Muscatine, Iowa were compared. In between seasons, two types of changes were made: (i) addition of new healthier concession options and (ii) substitution of healthier ingredients (less saturated fat, no trans fat). Satisfaction surveys of students and parents were conducted before and after the changes. Data were collected in 2008 and 2009 and analyzed in 2012–13.
Results: Revenue per game was similar between years, even with the introduction of healthier items and ingredient changes. In 2009, the new healthy foods comprised 9.2% of total revenue and sales of some new items increased with each game. The 'healthy makeover' had no influence on student satisfaction but it improved parent satisfaction (P , 0.001).
Conclusions: This compelling test of concept shows that offering healthier items can be good for both sales and satisfaction. While this study was conducted with concession stands, the principles can be carried over into other food retail settings.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 2014
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Choices, 2001
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics, Sep 1, 2002
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
American Journal of Agricultural Economics, 2015
ABSTRACT In economic models of behavior, consumers are assumed to value the goods and services th... more ABSTRACT In economic models of behavior, consumers are assumed to value the goods and services they purchase based on stable preferences over externally identifiable attributes such as quality. These models predict that consumers will respond to changes in price in a way that is independent of the source of the price change. Yet research in the behavioral sciences indicates that consumers that are emotionally attached to a consumption good or other behavior might respond with resistance when policies threaten their consumption or behavior. Moreover, policies that in fact validate some emotional attachments can stir a stronger preference for the good or behavior. Reviewing both survey and experimental data from the literature, we demonstrate how such emotional responses can create hidden costs to policy implementation that could not be detected using standard welfare economic techniques. Building upon Rabin's work on fairness in games, we propose a partial equilibrium model of emotional response to policy whereby preferences are endogenous to policy choices. In accordance with evidence both from our own analysis and the field, we propose that confrontational policies (such as a sin tax) increase the marginal utility for a good, and that validating policies (such as a subsidy) also increases the marginal utility for a good. A social planner that ignores potential emotional responses to policy changes may unwittingly induce significant dead weight loss. Using our model, we propose a feasible method to determine if emotional deadweight costs exist, and to place a lower bound on the size of these costs.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Economic Development and Cultural Change, 2014
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, Apr 1, 2012
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
... Obesity Reviews 2011;12(501):e54-e63. CrossRef. ↵: Huang Y.,; Huffman W.,; Tegene A. Impacts ... more ... Obesity Reviews 2011;12(501):e54-e63. CrossRef. ↵: Huang Y.,; Huffman W.,; Tegene A. Impacts of Economic and Psychological Factors on Women's Obesity and Food Assistance Program Participation: Evidence from the NLSY. American Journal of Agricultural Economics. ...
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Replaced with revised version of paper on 10/26/10.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
This paper analyzes carbon leakage due to reduced emissions from deforestation (RED). We find tha... more This paper analyzes carbon leakage due to reduced emissions from deforestation (RED). We find that leakage with RED is good because the policy induces afforestation that contributes to a further carbon sequestration. By ignoring the domestic component of carbon leakage, the literature can either overestimate or underestimate leakage, depending on the magnitudes of the numerator and the denominator of the
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
We show carbon leakage depends on the type of biofuel policy (tax credit versus mandate), the dom... more We show carbon leakage depends on the type of biofuel policy (tax credit versus mandate), the domestic and foreign gasoline supply and fuel demand elasticities, and on consumption and production shares of world oil markets for the country introducing the biofuel policy. The components of carbon leakage – market leakage and emissions savings – are counteracting: carbon leakage increases with
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
This paper analyzes carbon leakage due to reduced emissions from deforestation (RED). We find tha... more This paper analyzes carbon leakage due to reduced emissions from deforestation (RED). We find that leakage with RED is good because the policy induces afforestation that contributes to a further carbon sequestration. By ignoring the domestic component of carbon leakage, the literature can either overestimate or underestimate leakage, depending on the magnitudes of the numerator and the denominator of the
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
We use data from a field experiment at 15 elementary schools to examine the effective of financia... more We use data from a field experiment at 15 elementary schools to examine the effective of financial incentives that increase the fraction of children eating a serving of fruit or vegetable as part of their school lunch. We were able to raise the fraction of children eating fruits or vegetables at lunch by 22 percentage points when offering a nickel each day and by 43 percentage points when offering a quarter (relative to a baseline rate of 33 percentage points). We find that offering a raffle ticket for a cash equivalent prize was less effective than providing a cash reward and that children are more responsive to immediate rewards rather than rewards two weeks in the future.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
We use observational data from 22 elementary schools and over 48,000 child-day observations to ex... more We use observational data from 22 elementary schools and over 48,000 child-day observations to examine the relationship between the number of fruit and vegetable items and the consumption patterns of children during school lunch. We find that each additional fruit or vegetable item that is offered increases the fraction of children who eat at least one serving of fruits and vegetables by 12 percent. We also use our observational data to provide practical information about which items are most likely to be eaten by children during lunch and compare this to the cost and nutritional quality of these items.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
State-sponsored lotteries are a lucrative source of revenue. Despite their low payout rates, lott... more State-sponsored lotteries are a lucrative source of revenue. Despite their low payout rates, lotteries are extremely popular, particularly among low-income citizens. State officials laud the benefits of lottery proceeds and promote the fun and excitement of participation. This entertainment value is one explanation for lottery demand by the poor: individuals with lower incomes substitute lottery play for other entertainment. Alternatively,
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
The global food crises of 2008 and 2010 and the increased price volatility revolve around biofuel... more The global food crises of 2008 and 2010 and the increased price volatility revolve around biofuels policies and their interaction with each other, farm policies and between countries. While a certain degree of research has been conducted on biofuel efficacy and logistics, there is currently no book on the market devoted to the economics of biofuel policies.
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact
Bookmarks Related papers MentionsView impact