TY - JOUR
T1 - On the determinants of obesity
T2 - Evidence from the UAE
AU - Katsaiti, Marina Selini
AU - El Anshasy, Amany A.
PY - 2014/10
Y1 - 2014/10
N2 - This article investigates the possible determinants of being overweight and obese in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), controlling for age and education status. We use a novel dataset constructed from survey responses of university undergraduate students. Using OLS, logistic and ordered logistic regressions, we find that male, affluent and nonnational students face a higher risk of being obese (or overweight). The results also show that cultural and geographical factors interact with some behavioural aspects related to lifestyle in determining weight status. Students originating from other Middle East and North Africa countries exhibit higher body mass index (BMI) and odds of being obese with higher frequency of eating out and more computer use. Unexpectedly, fast food consumption and lack of exercise do not seem to contribute to higher risks of being overweight/obese.
AB - This article investigates the possible determinants of being overweight and obese in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), controlling for age and education status. We use a novel dataset constructed from survey responses of university undergraduate students. Using OLS, logistic and ordered logistic regressions, we find that male, affluent and nonnational students face a higher risk of being obese (or overweight). The results also show that cultural and geographical factors interact with some behavioural aspects related to lifestyle in determining weight status. Students originating from other Middle East and North Africa countries exhibit higher body mass index (BMI) and odds of being obese with higher frequency of eating out and more computer use. Unexpectedly, fast food consumption and lack of exercise do not seem to contribute to higher risks of being overweight/obese.
KW - MENA
KW - UAE
KW - human capital
KW - natural resources
KW - obesity
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84905448352&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84905448352&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/00036846.2014.934431
DO - 10.1080/00036846.2014.934431
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84905448352
SN - 0003-6846
VL - 46
SP - 3649
EP - 3658
JO - Applied Economics
JF - Applied Economics
IS - 30
ER -