Do peers affect childhood obesity outcomes? Peer-effect analysis in public schools

Jebaraj Asirvatham; Michael R. Thomsen; Rodolfo M. Nayga; Heather L. Rouse

doi:10.1111/caje.12321

Do peers affect childhood obesity outcomes? Peer-effect analysis in public schools

Jebaraj Asirvatham, Michael R. Thomsen, Rodolfo M. Nayga, Heather L. Rouse

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

This study investigates whether obese peers are a contributing factor in childhood body-weight outcomes. Using an instrumental variables method on exogenously assigned peers (i.e., new peers), we find that the weight of peers within the same grade and school significantly impacts body mass index (BMI) z-score of an individual student. The size of the peer effect, however, is negligible. We find no evidence of interaction between newly assigned peer groups prior to assignment. Furthermore, the obese peers variable is significant only for those peers with whom a student interacts.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	216-235
Number of pages	20
Journal	Canadian Journal of Economics
Volume	51
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/caje.12321
Publication status	Published - 2018 Feb 1
Externally published	Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Economics and Econometrics

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goal(s)

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10.1111/caje.12321

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abstract = "This study investigates whether obese peers are a contributing factor in childhood body-weight outcomes. Using an instrumental variables method on exogenously assigned peers (i.e., new peers), we find that the weight of peers within the same grade and school significantly impacts body mass index (BMI) z-score of an individual student. The size of the peer effect, however, is negligible. We find no evidence of interaction between newly assigned peer groups prior to assignment. Furthermore, the obese peers variable is significant only for those peers with whom a student interacts.",

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AB - This study investigates whether obese peers are a contributing factor in childhood body-weight outcomes. Using an instrumental variables method on exogenously assigned peers (i.e., new peers), we find that the weight of peers within the same grade and school significantly impacts body mass index (BMI) z-score of an individual student. The size of the peer effect, however, is negligible. We find no evidence of interaction between newly assigned peer groups prior to assignment. Furthermore, the obese peers variable is significant only for those peers with whom a student interacts.

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Do peers affect childhood obesity outcomes? Peer-effect analysis in public schools

Abstract

ASJC Scopus subject areas

UN SDGs

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