The Causal Effect of Education on Health Behaviors: Evidence from Turkey

Abstract

This study provides causal effect of education on health behaviors in Turkey which is a middle income developing country. Health Survey of the Turkish Statistical Institute for the years 2008, 2010 and 2012 are used. The health behaviors considered are smoking, alcohol consumption, fruit and vegetable consumption, exercising and one health outcome namely, the body mass index (BMI). We examine the causal effect of education on these health behaviors and the BMI Instrumental variable approach is used in order to address the endogeneity of education to health behaviors. Educational expansion of the early 1960s is used as the source of exogenous variation in years of schooling. Our main findings are as follows. Education does not significantly affect the probability of smoking or exercising. The higher the education level the higher the probability of alcohol consumption and the probability of fruit and vegetable consumption. Higher levels of education lead to higher BMI levels. This study provides a baseline for further research on the various aspects of health behaviors in Turkey.

Determinants of Body Mass Index in Turkey: A Quantile Regression Analysis from a Middle Income Country

“…To our knowledge, Tansel and Karaoğlan (2014) is the first study that examines the determinants of health related behaviors in Turkey by using a rich micro data set, namely the Turkish Health Survey (THS) prepared by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT). In that study, in addition to other health behaviors, such as smoking and alcohol consumption, the authors examine the determinants of individuals' BMI in Turkey.…”

“…In that study, in addition to other health behaviors, such as smoking and alcohol consumption, the authors examine the determinants of individuals' BMI in Turkey. Next, using Instrumental Variable (IV) methodology, Tansel and Karaoğlan (2016) examine the causal effect of education on health behaviors and BMI levels by using the same data set as this study. Cesur et al (2014) also test the causal effect of education on health behaviors and health outcomes by using the same data set, and find that increase in education level increases the probability of being obese.…”

“…The study provides descriptive statistics about the determinants of obesity, and shows that men are more likely to be overweight, whereas women are more likely to be obese. Tansel and Karaoğlan (2014) conducted the first study that examines the determinants of health behaviors and BMI by using a rich, cross-sectional data set, the same rounds of the THS data set as this study. The authors find that BMI levels decrease as education levels increase.…”

The effect of education on health: Evidence from the 1997 compulsory schooling reform in Turkey

“…They also find no statistically significant effect of education on self-rated health and smoking behavior. Tansel and Karaoglan (2016) use some changes in the education system which mainly affected primary school (5-year) education in the early 1960's by comparing cohorts who are affected by the new system with those that were not. They find that there were no statistically significant effects of education on the probability of smoking and exercising.…”

“…First, the effect of schooling on own-health outcomes is estimated by employing an instrumental variables method based on the intensity of the 1997 Basic education law, instead of using a treatment indicator as an instrument (e.g., Cesur et.al., 2014). Second, we estimate effects on BMI and the propensities to be obese or overweight for females using measured BMI, instead of using selfreported height and weight (Cesur et al, 2014;Tansel and Karaoglan, 2016) which can be reported with error. Third, we estimate the effect of maternal education on infants' well-being using a refined measure of intensity of the 1997 reform as an instrument (which we discuss in the next section).…”