Do place-based policies impact residents’ nutrient intake? Evidence from China

Place-based policies (PBPs) associated with China's “reform and opening-up” have played a significant role in the country's rapid economic development. However, the relationship between PBPs and residents’ nutrient intake remains unexplored. To fill this research gap, this study uses longitudinal data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (1991–2011), applies a difference-in-differences approach to analyze the association between PBPs and residents’ nutrient intake, and sheds light on the potential mechanisms. The findings reveal that PBPs are positively associated with increased intake of total energy, fat, and protein. This relationship is facilitated through mechanisms such as promoting local employment opportunities, increasing household income, optimizing the food environment, and increasing residents’ dietary knowledge. The findings also show that the increase in nutrient intake associated with PBPs is more pronounced among men, high-income groups, individuals with higher education, urban residents, and following China's accession to the World Trade Organization. Additionally, PBPs are linked to improved self-assessed health and a decreased likelihood of insufficient fat intake. Meanwhile, insufficient evidence supports the hypothesis that these policies are associated with overnutrition or non-communicable diseases.