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Higher Wages, Less Gym Time? The Effects of Minimum Wages on Time Use

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  • Otto Lenhart

Abstract

This study examines the effects of minimum wages on time use. Analyzing data from the American Time Use Survey from 2003 to 2017, I investigate the role of time allocated toward exercise and other health‐enhancing activities as a potential mechanism underlying the link between minimum wages and health. The study finds that a $1 increase in minimum wages is associated with reductions in exercising and total personal health time by 13 and 20 minutes during the week, respectively. This decline in health time is fully reallocated toward additional leisure time. The results are largely driven by males and employed individuals.

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  • Otto Lenhart, 2019. "Higher Wages, Less Gym Time? The Effects of Minimum Wages on Time Use," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 86(1), pages 253-270, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:soecon:v:86:y:2019:i:1:p:253-270
    DOI: 10.1002/soej.12352
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    2. Buszkiewicz, James H. & Hajat, Anjum & Hill, Heather D. & Otten, Jennifer J. & Drewnowski, Adam, 2023. "Racial, ethnic, and gender differences in the association between higher state minimum wages and health and mental well-being in US adults with low educational attainment," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 322(C).
    3. Taryn W. Morrissey, 2023. "The minimum wage and parent time use," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 21(3), pages 1043-1062, September.
    4. Leigh, J. Paul, 2021. "Treatment design, health outcomes, and demographic categories in the literature on minimum wages and health," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 43(C).
    5. Sören Dallmeyer & Christoph Breuer, 2024. "The introduction of a minimum wage in Germany and the effects on physical activity participation," International Journal of Health Economics and Management, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 211-229, June.
    6. David Neumark, 2024. "The effects of minimum wages on (almost) everything? A review of recent evidence on health and related behaviors," LABOUR, CEIS, vol. 38(1), pages 1-65, March.
    7. Richard Gearhart & Lyudmyla Sonchak-Ardan & Raphael Thibault, 2023. "The impact of minimum wage on parental time allocation to children: evidence from the American Time Use Survey," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 21(3), pages 1019-1042, September.
    8. Roy, Soumyadip & Orazem, Peter F., 2021. "Active leisure, passive leisure and health," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 43(C).
    9. Aparna Soni & Taryn Morrissey, 2022. "The effects of Medicaid expansion on home production and childcare," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 88(3), pages 931-950, January.
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    11. Lenhart, Otto, 2021. "The effects of minimum wages on teenage birth rates," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).

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