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The Mediation Effect of Self-Esteem on Weight and Earnings

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Listed:
  • Ronald DeBeaumont

    (Black Hills State University)

  • Robert Girtz

    (Dakota State University)

Abstract

Prior research has consistently documented a weight-related earnings penalty for females. However, there is debate concerning the existence of a similar wage penalty for men, with many studies having found no statistically significant effect. Prior research has also found a wage penalty associated with lower self-esteem. Drawing data from the 1979 cohort of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, we refine the empirical relationship among self-esteem, wages, and weight. Implementing mediation models, our results suggest men face an obesity wage penalty, but the penalty is characterized through a persistent decrease in self-esteem when relatively young which leads to lower wages as adults. In contrast, the obesity wage penalty for females is not mediated through lower self-esteem and is likely the result of factors related to contemporaneous body weight.

Suggested Citation

  • Ronald DeBeaumont & Robert Girtz, 2019. "The Mediation Effect of Self-Esteem on Weight and Earnings," Atlantic Economic Journal, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 47(4), pages 415-427, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:atlecj:v:47:y:2019:i:4:d:10.1007_s11293-019-09648-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s11293-019-09648-z
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