title: Externalities from grain consumption: a survey.
abstract: The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) publishes their MyPyramid plan as a recommended eating model for all Americans. As part of this model, grain consumption is emphasized. This grain consumption has the potential to generate positive externalities, such as reduced rates of obesity, diabetes and other chronic diseases. Such positive externalities can potentially produce tangible economic benefits in terms of public health. In contrast, newer nutritional research shows that grain consumption may have negative effects on health for certain population groups. Celiac disease is four times as common as it was 50 years ago and is often under-diagnosed. Other population groups exhibit gluten sensitivity which can impact the development of asthma, allergies and neurological difficulties. This survey intends to provide a comprehensive description of both the positive and negative externalities associated with grain consumption and the resulting impact on human health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Economics, University of North Carolina at Charlotte , Charlotte, NC 28223, USA. mmetzgar@uncc.edu
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Metzgar
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000517:prevention & control; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D002446:Celiac Disease / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D002523:Edible Grain / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology; D007408:Intestinal Absorption; D008903:Minerals / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D009436:Neural Tube Defects / Q000517:prevention & control; D018673:Nutrition Policy; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011634:Public Health; D014481:United States; D016885:United States Department of Agriculture
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D028321:Plant Preparations