ESRI Research Seminar: Gluttony and Sloth: Long-Run Changes in Bodyweight, Diet and Activity

Venue: ESRI, Whitaker Square, Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2.

Speaker: Melanie Luhrmann (Royal Holloway, IFS and MEA)

This Seminar takes place at 1pm on Monday 14 July. Please note this is not the usual day of ESRI Seminars

Abstract: There have been large increases in bodyweight in most developed countries. This is the result of an imbalance of calories ingested relative to calories expended. The literature has focused on excess calorie consumption. We compile new comprehensive data on calories purchased and calories burnt in activity to show that in England there has been a substantial decrease in total calories purchased between 1980 and 2009. This is despite an increase in some high calorie categories like fast food, snacks and drinks. Time use has changed in important ways, with work, travel and other activities becoming much less strenuous. For men the most important has been a decline in labour force participation and in the strenuousness of work. For women increased labour market participation has meant a shift away from housework towards less strenuous activity. We then link diet and activity to provide evidence on their contribution towards rising obesity in the UK.