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Evidence on the Efficacy of School-Based Incentives for Healthy Living

Author

Listed:
  • Harold E. Cuffe

    (University of Oregon [Eugene])

  • William T. Harbaugh

    (University of Oregon [Eugene])

  • Jason M. Lindo

    (University of Oregon [Eugene])

  • Giancarlo Musto

    (GATE Lyon Saint-Étienne - Groupe d'Analyse et de Théorie Economique Lyon - Saint-Etienne - ENS de Lyon - École normale supérieure de Lyon - UL2 - Université Lumière - Lyon 2 - UCBL - Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 - Université de Lyon - UJM - Université Jean Monnet - Saint-Étienne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Glenn R. Waddell

    (University of Oregon [Eugene])

Abstract

We analyze the effects of a school-based incentive program on children's exercise habits. The program offers children an opportunity to win prizes if they walk or bike to school during prize periods. We use daily child-level data and individual fixed effects models to measure the impact of the prizes by comparing behavior during prize periods with behavior during non-prize periods. Variation in the timing of prize periods across different schools allows us to estimate models with calendar-date fixed effects to control for day-specific attributes, such as weather and proximity to holidays. On average, we find that being in a prize period increases riding behavior by sixteen percent, a large impact given that the prize value is just six cents per participating student. We also find that winning a prize lottery has a positive impact on ridership over subsequent weeks; consider heterogeneity across prize type, gender, age, and calendar month; and explore differential effects on the intensive versus extensive margins.
(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)

Suggested Citation

  • Harold E. Cuffe & William T. Harbaugh & Jason M. Lindo & Giancarlo Musto & Glenn R. Waddell, 2012. "Evidence on the Efficacy of School-Based Incentives for Healthy Living," Post-Print halshs-00726046, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:halshs-00726046
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    Cited by:

    1. Joan Gil & Guillem López Casasnovas & Toni Mora, 2013. "Taxation of unhealthy consumption of food and drinks: An updated literature review," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 207(4), pages 119-140, December.
    2. Alberto Gago & Xavier Labandeira & Xiral López Otero, 2014. "A Panorama on Energy Taxes and Green Tax Reforms," Hacienda Pública Española / Review of Public Economics, IEF, vol. 208(1), pages 145-190, March.
    3. Condliffe, Simon & Işgın, Ebru & Fitzgerald, Brynne, 2017. "Get thee to the gym! A field experiment on improving exercise habits," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 23-32.
    4. David R. Just & Joseph Price, 2013. "Using Incentives to Encourage Healthy Eating in Children," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 48(4), pages 855-872.
    5. Mora, Toni & Llargués, Esteve & Recasens, Assumpta, 2015. "Does health education affect BMI? Evidence from a school-based randomised-control trial," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 17(C), pages 190-201.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    health; exercise; children; school; incentives; active commuting;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior

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