Obesity and happiness

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    64 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    This article provides insight on the relationship between individual obesity and happiness levels. Using the latest available panel data from Germany German Socio-Economic Panel (GSOEP), UK British Household Panel Survey (BHPS), and Australia Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA), we examine whether there is statistical evidence on the impact of overweight on subjective well-being. Instrumental Variable (IV) analysis is utilized under the presence of endogeneity, stemming from several explanatory variables. Results indicate that in all three countries obesity has a negative effect on the subjective well-being of individuals. The results also have important implications for the effect of other sociodemographic, economic and individual characteristics on well-being.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)4101-4114
    Number of pages14
    JournalApplied Economics
    Volume44
    Issue number31
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Nov 2012

    Keywords

    • Happiness
    • Instrumental variable analysis
    • Obesity
    • Subjective well-being

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Economics and Econometrics

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