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Research ArticleArticles

Health’s Kitchen

TV, Edutainment, and Nutrition

Francesco Principe and Vincenzo Carrieri
Published online before print November 07, 2024, 1022-12608R2; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.1022-12608R2
Francesco Principe
Francesco Principe is assistant professor of economics at the Department of Economics, University of Bergamo, Italy. E-mail:
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  • For correspondence: [email protected]
Vincenzo Carrieri
Vincenzo Carrieri is full professor of economics at the Department of Political and Social Sciences, University of Calabria, Italy; RWI-Leibniz Institute for Economic Research; IZA
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Abstract

This paper investigates whether and how media exposure affects health behavior. We exploit the idiosyncratic switchover to digital television in Italy and the consequent shift in the supply of food-related content on TV. We use a unique dataset based on four sources of data to provide evidence that food shows affect individual choices based on individual search patterns for cuisine-related information and recipes on the web. We then show that the digital transition improved the composition of households’ food baskets and dietary choices, leading to a reduction in body mass index (BMI) and obesity, especially among more exposed individuals. These findings bring into question the negative stereotypes often associated with TV and highlight the potential of edutainment as a new lever in health policy.

JEL Codes:
  • D12
  • I12
  • L82
Keywords
  • Food shows
  • dietary habits
  • digital switchover
  • TV

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Journal of Human Resources: 60 (3)
Journal of Human Resources
Vol. 60, Issue 3
1 May 2025
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Health’s Kitchen
Francesco Principe, Vincenzo Carrieri
Journal of Human Resources Nov 2024, 1022-12608R2; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.1022-12608R2

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Health’s Kitchen
Francesco Principe, Vincenzo Carrieri
Journal of Human Resources Nov 2024, 1022-12608R2; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.1022-12608R2
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Keywords

  • D12
  • I12
  • L82
  • Food shows
  • dietary habits
  • digital switchover
  • TV
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