The Caloric Costs of Culture: Evidence from Indian Migrants
American Economic Review
vol. 106,
no. 4, April 2016
(pp. 1144-81)
Abstract
Anthropologists have documented substantial and persistent differences in food preferences across social groups. My paper asks whether such food cultures can constrain caloric intake? I first document that interstate migrants within India consume fewer calories per rupee of food expenditure compared to their neighbors. Second, I show that migrants bring their origin-state food preferences with them. Third, I link these findings by showing that the gap in caloric intake between locals and migrants depends on the suitability and intensity of the migrants' origin-state preferences. The most affected migrants would consume seven percent more calories if they possessed their neighbors' preferences. (JEL D12, I12, O15, R23, Z12, Z13)Citation
Atkin, David. 2016. "The Caloric Costs of Culture: Evidence from Indian Migrants." American Economic Review, 106 (4): 1144-81. DOI: 10.1257/aer.20140297Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- D12 Consumer Economics: Empirical Analysis
- I12 Health Behavior
- O15 Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
- R23 Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics: Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population; Neighborhood Characteristics
- Z12 Cultural Economics: Religion
- Z13 Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Social and Economic Stratification