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The European Journal of Health Economics

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Open Access 29-11-2022 | Obesity | Original Paper

Public preferences for policies promoting a healthy diet: a discrete choice experiment

Authors: C. M. Dieteren, I. Bonfrer, W. B. F. Brouwer, J. van Exel

Published in: The European Journal of Health Economics | Issue 9/2023

Abstract

Background

Worldwide obesity rates have nearly tripled over the past five decades. So far, policies to promote a healthier diet have been less intrusive than those to reduce tobacco and alcohol consumption. Not much is known about public support for policies that aim to promote a healthy diet. In this study, a discrete choice experiment (DCE) was used to elicit stated preferences for policies varying in intrusiveness among a representative sample of the public of The Netherlands.

Methods

The choice tasks presented respondents a hypothetical scenario of two policy packages, each comprising a mix of seven potential policies that differed in level of intrusiveness. We estimated mixed logit models (MXL) to estimate respondents’ preferences for these policies and performed latent class analyses to identify heterogeneity in preferences.

Results

The MXL model showed that positive financial incentives like subsidies for vegetables and fruit yielded most utility. A tax of 50% on sugary drinks was associated with disutility while a tax of 20% was associated with positive utility compared to no tax at all. We identified three subgroups with distinct preferences for the seven policies to promote a healthy diet, which were characterized as being “against”, “mixed” and “pro” policies to promote a healthy diet.

Conclusion

Preferences for policies promoting a healthy diet vary considerably in the Dutch population, particularly in relation to more intrusive policies. This makes selection and implementation of a policy package that has wide public support challenging.

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Title: Public preferences for policies promoting a healthy diet: a discrete choice experiment
Authors: C. M. Dieteren
I. Bonfrer
W. B. F. Brouwer
J. van Exel
Publication date: 29-11-2022
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Obesity
Obesity
Published in: The European Journal of Health Economics / Issue 9/2023
Print ISSN: 1618-7598
Electronic ISSN: 1618-7601
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10198-022-01554-7

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Public preferences for policies promoting a healthy diet: a discrete choice experiment

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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