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The Super Size of America: An Economic Estimation of Body Mass Index and Obesity in Adults
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The Super Size of America: An Economic Estimation of Body Mass Index and Obesity in Adults

Author

Listed:
  • Inas Rashad

    (Georgia State University
    NBER)

  • Michael Grossman

    (City University of New York Graduate Center
    NBER)

  • Shin-Yi Chou

    (Lehigh University
    NBER)

Abstract

The increased prevalence of obesity in the US stresses the need for answers as to why this rapid rise has occurred. This paper employs micro-level data from the First, Second, and Third National Health and Nutrition xamination Surveys to determine the effects that state-level policies have on BMI and obesity. These policies, which include restaurants per capita, the gasoline tax, the cigarette tax, and clean indoor air laws, display many of the expected effects on obesity and explain a substantial amount of its trend. We control for individual-level measures of household income, years of formal schooling completed, and marital status.

Suggested Citation

  • Inas Rashad & Michael Grossman & Shin-Yi Chou, 2006. "The Super Size of America: An Economic Estimation of Body Mass Index and Obesity in Adults," Eastern Economic Journal, Eastern Economic Association, vol. 32(1), pages 133-148, Winter.
    • Handle: RePEc:eej:eeconj:v:32:y:2006:i:1:p:133-148
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior

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