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The curse of modernization? Western fast food and Chinese children's weight

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  • Nancy Kong
  • Weina Zhou

Abstract

The income‐adjusted price of fast food in China is five times more than in the United States, yet we show that the introduction of Western fast‐food restaurants to China still leads to significant weight gain in children. Using the community‐year‐level presence of Western fast‐food outlets, difference‐in‐differences estimations find a 4.8‐percentage‐point increase in the prevalence of overweight/obese children after controlling for child and year fixed effects. The effect decreases at a distance of 3–4 km from a fast‐food restaurant, and we find no further weight gain 2 years after the restaurant's introduction. The underweight rate is not affected by fast‐food introduction. The increase in fat share of energy intake serves as the channel for weight gain. Children in high‐income families, younger than 11 years, and girls are more affected than other Chinese children.

Suggested Citation

  • Nancy Kong & Weina Zhou, 2021. "The curse of modernization? Western fast food and Chinese children's weight," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(10), pages 2345-2366, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:hlthec:v:30:y:2021:i:10:p:2345-2366
    DOI: 10.1002/hec.4381
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    References listed on IDEAS

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