Flexible Functional Form Estimates of Philippine Demand Elasticities for Nutrition Policy Simulation

Abstract

Utilizing flexible functional forms as well as incorporating methods for treating zero observations in household survey data, this paper attempts to contribute to demand analysis and nutrition policy by estimating income-stratum specific demand elasticities. The estimates are then applied in a model simulating the potential nutritional effects of market intervention policy. Results in this study are therefore useful from two viewpoints: that of empirical work on demand systems and that of nutrition policy analysis.economic/development modelling, health sector, health and nutrition, health service delivery