Suggested Methods for Estimating Adult Equivalence Scales

When trying to obtain an estimate of the demand function of households for certain food items, it is often convenient to express the demographic structure (size, age and sex composition) of individual households in terms of so many consumer (e.g. an adult male) equivalents. In many studies such conversions have been made by using adult equivalence scales derived from nutrionists estimates of the consumption requirements of human beings at various ages. However these scales, by their nature, are based on estimates of how much a person of a given age and sex should consume, rather than on how much the same person actually does consume in real life. In an endeavour to overcome this difficulty a method is suggested in this article whereby a scale can be calculated from the observed behaviour of households

The Influence of Financial Factors on Household Meat Consumption Patterns

In order to assist in the specification of the demand function for Australian meats a sample of housewives was interviewed in an attempt to ascertain how the financial position of a household influences its meat consumption pattern. The three most interesting findings are indicated below. (a) Except for a small proportion of low income households, financial considerations do not play a significant part in determining the quantity of meat purchased but do influence the meat types and cuts that are selected to satisfy the required quantity. (b) It is the "permanent" or "normal" income level of the household which is the dominant financial component influencing its expenditure on meats. (c) It appears that a desire for diet variation, together with the relative prices of the cuts within the various meat types, are the two main factors determining the particular meat consumption patterns followed by households

Suggested Methods for Estimating Adult Equivalence Scales

When trying to obtain an estimate of the demand function of households for certain food items, it is often convenient to express the demographic structure (size, age and sex composition) of individual households in terms of so many consumer (e.g. an adult male) equivalents. In many studies such conversions have been made by using adult equivalence scales derived from nutrionists estimates of the consumption requirements of human beings at various ages. However these scales, by their nature, are based on estimates of how much a person of a given age and sex should consume, rather than on how much the same person actually does consume in real life. In an endeavour to overcome this difficulty a method is suggested in this article whereby a scale can be calculated from the observed behaviour of households.Demand and Price Analysis,

The Influence of Financial Factors on Household Meat Consumption Patterns

In order to assist in the specification of the demand function for Australian meats a sample of housewives was interviewed in an attempt to ascertain how the financial position of a household influences its meat consumption pattern. The three most interesting findings are indicated below. (a) Except for a small proportion of low income households, financial considerations do not play a significant part in determining the quantity of meat purchased but do influence the meat types and cuts that are selected to satisfy the required quantity. (b) It is the "permanent" or "normal" income level of the household which is the dominant financial component influencing its expenditure on meats. (c) It appears that a desire for diet variation, together with the relative prices of the cuts within the various meat types, are the two main factors determining the particular meat consumption patterns followed by households.Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,