Factors Affecting the Probability of Choosing a Risky Diet

Eating a poor diet is risky behavior. Inadequate nutrition compromises health and can increase the probability of premature death and/or reduced life quality. This paper uses a cost-benefit analysis from a health economic perspective to assess impact of costs and benefits associated with the odds of choosing a risky diet. Results indicate that time preference as measured through education, smoking, exercise, nutrition panel use, and motivation for nutrition knowledge significantly affect the odds of choosing a risky diet. In addition, variables hypothesized to influence the associated costs of tradeoff between present and future utility—location (both region and urbanization), income, race, gender, and age—are found to have an impact on the likelihood of choosing a risky diet.