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Spillover Effects of Local Human Capital Stock on Adult Obesity: Evidence from German Neighborhoods

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  • Rui Dang

Abstract

This paper is the first to estimate the causal effect of local human capital stock on individual adiposity and adds to the existing literature on estimating human capital externalities at the neighborhood level. We explore the possible causal pathways that college-educated neighbors exert on individual body weight, with the results revealing small yet significant human capital spillover effects. Among all adults, a percentage point increase in the neighborhood college graduates share results in a decrease of individual body mass index by 0.0026 log points, as well as a decrease of the individual likelihood of being overweight by 0.77 percentage points. Among high school graduates and college graduates, a percentage point increase in the neighborhood college graduates share results in a decrease of individual likelihood of being overweight by approximately 0.83 percentage points.

Suggested Citation

  • Rui Dang, 2015. "Spillover Effects of Local Human Capital Stock on Adult Obesity: Evidence from German Neighborhoods," SOEPpapers on Multidisciplinary Panel Data Research 805, DIW Berlin, The German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP).
    • Handle: RePEc:diw:diwsop:diw_sp805
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Obesity; local human capital externalities; control function; non-random sorting;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I00 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - General - - - General
    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population

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