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Peer Effects on Weight Status, Dietary Behaviour and Physical Activity among Adolescents in Europe: Findings from the I.Family Study

Author

Listed:
  • Wencke Gwozdz
  • Peng Nie
  • Alfonso Sousa‐Poza
  • Stefaan DeHenauw
  • Regina Felső
  • Antje Hebestreit
  • Isabel Iguacel
  • Lauren Lissner
  • Fabio Lauria
  • Angie Page
  • Lucia A. Reisch
  • Michael Tornaritis
  • Toomas Veidebaum
  • Garrath Williams
  • Ronja Foraita
  • on behalf of the I.Family Consortium

Abstract

This study uses survey data from the I.Family Study to investigate the association between adolescent and peer overweight in a sample of adolescents aged 12–16 from six European countries. We find clear evidence of peer effects on body mass index, waist circumference, and body fat, which are stronger among adolescents at the upper end of overweight distribution. We also provide evidence that both consumption of less healthy foods and time spent in leisure time physical activity and audio‐visual media are positively associated with similar behaviours among friends. These observations may suggest that peer effects on adolescent overweight operate by influencing friends’ behaviour patterns, especially unhealthy food consumption and physical (in)activity.

Suggested Citation

  • Wencke Gwozdz & Peng Nie & Alfonso Sousa‐Poza & Stefaan DeHenauw & Regina Felső & Antje Hebestreit & Isabel Iguacel & Lauren Lissner & Fabio Lauria & Angie Page & Lucia A. Reisch & Michael Tornaritis , 2019. "Peer Effects on Weight Status, Dietary Behaviour and Physical Activity among Adolescents in Europe: Findings from the I.Family Study," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 72(2), pages 270-296, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:kyklos:v:72:y:2019:i:2:p:270-296
    DOI: 10.1111/kykl.12197
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Levasseur, Pierre, 2021. "Do junk food bans in school really reduce childhood overweight? Evidence from Brazil," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    2. Barsha Saha & Miguel Martínez-García & Sharad Nath Bhattacharya & Rohit Joshi, 2022. "Overcoming Choice Inertia through Social Interaction—An Agent-Based Study of Mobile Subscription Decision," Games, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-16, June.
    3. Daniel Weimar & Christoph Breuer, 2022. "Against the mainstream: Field evidence on a positive link between media consumption and the demand for sports among children," Kyklos, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 75(2), pages 317-336, May.
    4. Nie, Peng & Wang, Lu & Sousa-Poza, Alfonso, 2020. "Peer Effects and Fertility Preferences in China: Evidence from the China Labor-Force Dynamics Survey," IZA Discussion Papers 13448, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).

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