The economics of nutrition planning
Keith, J.E.
Journal of the American Dietetic Association 79(6): 649-653
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-8223 PMID: 7310029 Document Number: 180186
Economic research has indicated that consumers purchase food, not nutrients, and that public programs and decisions concerning nutrition which have ignored consumer preferences have often been ineffective and heavily criticized. Approaches which integrate consumer demand and nutrition planning may be more successful in achieving national and institutional goals. Economic theory suggests that consumers act to maximize their individual welfare and satisfaction, subject to constraints on their income and time. An individual's actions in the market (demand) generally reflect preferences based on perception of utility, or welfare. (author)