Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/272663 
Year of Publication: 
2023
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 16036
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
Time scarcity is one of the strongest correlates of fast food consumption. To estimate the causal effect of time lost on food choice, we match daily store-specific foot traffic data traced via smartphones to plausibly exogenous shocks in highway traffic data in Los Angeles. We find that on days when highways are more congested, individuals are more likely to dine out and less likely to grocery shop. The effects are particularly pronounced for afternoon rush hour traffic. Our results imply a net reduction in healthy food store choice due to time lost.
Subjects: 
traffic congestion
time constraints
store choice
nutrition
fast food
JEL: 
I12
I30
J22
R41
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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