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Willingness to pay for weight-control treatment
Jin-Tan Liu1, Meng-Wen Tsou, James K Hammitt
1Department of Economics, National Taiwan University and NBER, Taiwan.
Health Policy (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
|January 27, 2009
Summary
Willingness to pay for weight control treatments is significant among employed women in Taiwan. Factors like age, income, and body image influence how much they will pay for weight loss solutions.
Area of Science:
- Health Economics
- Consumer Behavior
- Weight Management
Background:
- Understanding consumer preferences for weight control is crucial for developing effective interventions.
- Individual characteristics significantly influence the demand for health-related treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate willingness to pay (WTP) for different weight control treatments among employed females in Taiwan.
- To analyze how individual factors affect WTP for weight management solutions.
Main Methods:
- A contingent valuation (CV) survey was conducted with employed females in Taiwan.
- A double-bounded dichotomous-choice format and telephone interviews were employed.
- Statistical models corrected for sample-selection bias related to weight loss interest.
Main Results:
- WTP is positively associated with younger age, higher income, greater body weight, negative self-perceived weight, and peer pressure.
- Estimated WTP for weight-loss medicine ($12/month) exceeded that for a low-calorie diet ($10/month).
- Minimal sample-selection bias was observed regarding the decision to lose weight.
Conclusions:
- Willingness to pay for weight control treatments is substantial among Taiwanese women.
- WTP is significantly influenced by personal characteristics including age, income, and weight perceptions.
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