Obesity is one of the most pressing and widely emphasized health problems in
America today. Beverage choices made by households have impacts on
determining the intake of calories, calcium, caffeine, and vitamin C. Using
data from the Nielsen Homescan Panel over the period 1998-2003, and a
two-way random-effects Fuller-Battese error components procedure, we
estimate econometric models to examine economic and demographic factors
affecting per-capita daily intake of calories, calcium, caffeine, and
vitamin C derived from the consumption of nonalcoholic beverages. Our study
demonstrates the effectiveness of the USDA 2000 Dietary Guidelines in
reducing caloric and nutrient intake associated with nonalcoholic
beverages.