Adolescent obesity, educational attainment and adult earnings

Abstract

We estimate the effects of being obese during adolescence on the likelihood of high school graduation, post-secondary educational attainment, and labor market earnings as an adult (over 13 years later). We use longitudinal data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health (Add Health), conducted by the Carolina Population Center of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This is a nationally representative sample of students in grades 7 through 12 for the 1994-95 first wave survey. Three subsequent waves of follow-up interviews occurred in 1996, 2001-02, and finally in 2007-08, when the sample was aged 25-31. Probit and linear regression models with a large set of controls (to minimize any bias that may result from omitting factors related to both adolescent obesity and adult outcomes) are fitted to carry out analyses separately by gender or racial groups. Pathological body weights are most notably present among males, blacks and Hispanics, suggesting possibility that diverging obesity effects may be found across race and gender groups. Unlike some prior research, we find no significant effects of adolescent obesity on high school graduation, but for some demographic groups negative effects are found on college graduation and future income. Policy implications are discussed.

The lifetime costs of overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence: a systematic review

“…Two studies looked at adolescent obesity and income penalty, one from the US , the other from Sweden . The percentage income penalties reported did not take into account work days lost.…”

“…Most studies (eight) examined direct costs only (18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25). Four examined indirect costs, of which two addressed costs because of workdays lost (26,27) and two looked at income penalty (28,29). Just one examined both direct and indirect costs (workdays lost only) (30).…”

Causation or selection – examining the relation between education and overweight/obesity in prospective observational studies: a meta‐analysis

“…Evidence indicates that educational attainment does not only represent a risk for but can also be reversely influenced by overweight and obesity. In this regard, the selection hypothesis states that the overweight and obese experience more difficulties in attaining education, when compared with individuals with normal weight . According to stigma theory, the overweight and obese often are perceived as lazy, unsuccessful, weak‐willed, unintelligent and non‐compliant with weight loss treatment , which results in negative stereotypes and discriminatory behaviours as well as reduced psychological resources (e.g.…”

Predicted Lifetime Third‐Party Costs of Obesity for Black and White Adolescents with Race‐Specific Age‐Related Weight Gain

“…Obesity imposes an immense financial burden on the already strained US health care system, with an extensive list of sequelae, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, asthma, pulmonary embolism, gout, and cancer . In addition to these issues, obesity in youth correlates with higher psychological stress and impaired skill development, although this issue remains etiologically unclear . By the early 21st century, obesity had already become the second leading cause of preventable death in the US, trailing only tobacco, the use of which has fallen precipitously among adolescents .…”