A cross-section analysis of household demand for food and nutrients in Tanzania
利用坦桑尼亚调查数据，估计食品需求的价格和支出弹性，并分析收入、妇女教育等社会经济变量对营养素需求的影响，发现收入增长将增加对维生素A、B12、钙和锌的需求。
Undernutrition and malnutrition are still problems of unacceptable proportions in many developing countries. However, the debate on the roles of income and other socio-economic variables such as women's education and household size on food and nutrient demand continues. This study examines the demand for food and nutrients amongst households in Tanzania, using recent survey data. A quadratic almost ideal demand system (QUAIDS) is employed to estimate price and expenditure elasticities, as well as the impact of socio-economic variables on food demand patterns. A moment-based instrumental variable approach is then used to analyse the determinants of nutrient demand. The results show that income and other socio-economic variables exert significant effects on the demand for food and nutrients. The estimated expenditure elasticities for the nutrients range from 0.307 for iron to 1.26 for Vitamin B12. The elasticities are higher for those micronutrients that are consumed through animal products and lower for those micronutrients that are mainly obtained through staple foods. These results reflect the higher expenditure elasticities for meat, fish, eggs, milk, and milk products, as well as fruits and vegetables, relative to cereal s and pulses, reinforcing the assertion that the demand for Vitamins A and B12, as well as calcium and zinc will increase with rising income.