Skip to main content
Article
The dynamics of the Russian lifestyle during transition: changes in food, alcohol and cigarette consumption
Economics Working Papers (2002–2016)
  • Thomas Herzfeld, Wageningen University
  • Sonya K. Huffman, Iowa State University
  • Marian Rizov, Middlesex University
Document Type
Working Paper
Publication Date
4-29-2011
Working Paper Number
WP #09019, October 2009 revised April 2011; Old working paper #13116
Abstract

This paper presents evidence on the impact of individual as well as regional characteristics on changes in fat, protein, alcohol and cigarette consumption, and on diet's diversity between 1994 and 2004. The results from a dynamic econometric model suggest that among individual determinants such as initial levels of consumption, gender, education, household income changes, and access to a garden plot all have a significant impact on the changes in consumption behavior in Russia. Regarding the macroeconomic variables, inflation has a significant impact on changes in alcohol and cigarettes consumption, while unemployment changes significantly impact smoking behavior. Russian consumers only respond to own price changes of fat and protein, but do not respond to own prices for alcohol and cigarettes. Analysis of subsamples conditional on initial consumption behavior reveals significant heterogeneity in consumption patterns, which is important for effective policy targeting different population groups in achieving healthier lifestyle choices in Russia.

Disciplines
File Format
application/pdf
Length
42 pages
File Function
Latest revision: April 2011 (Original version: October 2009)
Citation Information
Thomas Herzfeld, Sonya K. Huffman and Marian Rizov. "The dynamics of the Russian lifestyle during transition: changes in food, alcohol and cigarette consumption" (2011)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/sonya-huffman/4/