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The Negative Association of Obesity with Subjective Well-Being: Is it All About Health?

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  • Petri Böckerman
  • Edvard Johansson
  • Samuli Saarni
  • Suoma Saarni

Abstract

In this paper we examine whether health status and functional capacity explain the fact that obese individuals report significantly lower levels of subjective well-being. We use comprehensive measures of body composition such as waist circumference, body fat percentage, and lean body mass along with body mass index. All these are measured by health professionals in a population-based sample. When controlling for health and functional status, we find very limited evidence for any independent influence of obesity on subjective well-being. This implies that the adverse effects of obesity on health and functioning are the primary explanation for the observed negative relationship between obesity and subjective well-being. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014

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  • Petri Böckerman & Edvard Johansson & Samuli Saarni & Suoma Saarni, 2014. "The Negative Association of Obesity with Subjective Well-Being: Is it All About Health?," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 15(4), pages 857-867, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:jhappi:v:15:y:2014:i:4:p:857-867
    DOI: 10.1007/s10902-013-9453-8
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    3. Li, Shuanglong & Chen, Yunsong & He, Guangye, 2018. "Laugh and grow fat: Happiness affects body mass index among Urban Chinese adults," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 55-63.
    4. Débora Godoy-Izquierdo & Raquel Lara & Adelaida Ogallar & Alejandra Rodríguez-Tadeo & María J. Ramírez & Estefanía Navarrón & Félix Arbinaga, 2021. "Psychosocial and Diet-Related Lifestyle Clusters in Overweight and Obesity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-15, June.
    5. MORIKAWA Masayuki, 2018. "Smoking, Obesity, and Labor Market Outcomes: Evidence from Japan," Discussion papers 18023, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    6. Victor Iturra & Mauricio Sarrias, 2023. "The Impact of Bodyweight on Life Satisfaction among School-Aged Children: Are the Mechanisms Gender-Based?," Child Indicators Research, Springer;The International Society of Child Indicators (ISCI), vol. 16(1), pages 135-165, February.
    7. Pagan, Ricardo & Haro, Carmen Ordóñez de & Sánchez, Carlos Rivas, 2016. "Obesity, job satisfaction and disability at older ages in Europe," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 20(C), pages 42-54.
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    9. Courtney E. Jackson & Joanne DiPlacido, 2020. "Vitality as a Mediator Between Diet Quality and Subjective Wellbeing Among College Students," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 21(5), pages 1617-1639, June.
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