TY - RPRT AU - Hamermesh, Daniel S. TI - Grazing, Goods and Girth: Determinants and Effects PY - 2009/Aug/ PB - Institute of Labor Economics (IZA) CY - Bonn T2 - IZA Discussion Paper IS - 4378 UR - https://www.iza.org/publications/dp4378 AB - Using the 2006-07 American Time Use Survey and its Eating and Health Module, I show that over half of adult Americans report grazing (secondary eating/drinking) on a typical day, with grazing time almost equaling primary eating/drinking time. An economic model predicts that higher wage rates (price of time) will lead to substitution of grazing for primary eating/drinking, especially by raising the number of grazing incidents relative to meals. This prediction is confirmed in these data. Eating meals more frequently is associated with lower BMI and better self-reported health, as is grazing more frequently. Food purchases are positively related to time spent eating − substitution of goods for time is difficult − but are lower when eating time is spread over more meals. KW - household production KW - time use KW - BMI ER -