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Body Mass Index and Social Interactions from Adolescence to Adulthood

Author

Listed:
  • Luisa Corrado

    (University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy)

  • Roberta Distante

    (University of Copenhagen & Nordea, Denmark)

  • Majlinda Joxhe

    (CREA, Université du Luxembourg)

Abstract

We apply a dynamic linear-in-means model to analyze the importance of social ties for the body-weight-related behavior of US youth. Our methodology shows how to estimate peer effects free of the “reflection problem” in a dynamic context where individual- and group-specific unobservable effects are controlled for. Our results show that the main drivers for the body-weight-related behavior are past and peer effects. For individuals who were normal-weight or obese during adolescence, past and peer effects are shown to be both relevant. Peer effects, instead, explain more the variation in the BMI for individuals who were over-weight during adolescence, showing in this way the importance of social interactions for body-weight-related behavior.

Suggested Citation

  • Luisa Corrado & Roberta Distante & Majlinda Joxhe, 2019. "Body Mass Index and Social Interactions from Adolescence to Adulthood," DEM Discussion Paper Series 19-06, Department of Economics at the University of Luxembourg.
    • Handle: RePEc:luc:wpaper:19-06
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Over-weight; Obesity; Peer Effects; Social Networks; Personal History; Dynamic Linear-in-means Model;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C01 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - General - - - Econometrics
    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • D71 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Social Choice; Clubs; Committees; Associations
    • I19 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Other
    • J11 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Demographic Trends, Macroeconomic Effects, and Forecasts
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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