Cross-country empirical analysis of current EU dietary patterns and their changes over time

The obesity epidemic is a global burden that has tripled over the last 40 years, with serious consequences on the global economy. This phenomenon has been called “globesity”. However, it is especially relevant in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). The concept of nutrition transition has been theorized by Popkin (1993) to explain the shifts in the composition of diets. In LMIC, indeed, the supply of animal protein, fat, and sugar increased significantly over the last decades. Simultaneously, there has been also a period of increasing economic and social interdependence among countries, globalization. This process has had implications on the nature of food supply chains, which are being influenced by higher incomes, greater urbanization, market liberalization, and foreign direct investment. 

The aim of the research is to analyze whether the last waves of globalization have affected food consumption patterns. More specifically, it will be explored whether there exists a link between the extent to which countries have been exposed to globalization and a change in consumption of some specific food categories.
Food consumption data will be obtained from the Global Dietary Database, which provides consumption data for 185 countries from 1990 to 2018. We will aggregate food consumption data in product categories such as: animal-based; plant-based; “healthy”; “unhealthy” products.
KOF Globalization Index can be used to measure the extent to which countries have been exposed to globalization over time, which considers the economic, social, and political dimensions of globalization. Other potential socio-political-economic determinants of food consumption will be included in the analysis such as the level of income, political regime, level of education, and trade exposure.

Based on the present literature, the supposed outcome of the analysis will highlight how globalization has influenced the shift in food consumption patterns worldwide. More specifically, consumption of animal-based and “unhealthy” food products is expected to be increased, whereas consumption of plant-based and “healthy” food products is expected to be decreased or not increased at the same rate as consumption of animal-based and “unhealthy” products. This phenomenon is likely to be more evident in low-middle-income countries, which are those who have had, and will continue to have, higher room for growth in terms of food consumption. If this hypothesis is confirmed by the results of the analysis, the present research will represent a helpful support for public health policy makers, who are responsible for guiding and redirecting food consumption towards more healthy and sustainable patterns.