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The Economics of Obesity-Related Mortality Among High Income Countries

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  • Rickertsen, Kyrre
  • Tegene, Abebayehu
  • Huffman, Sonya Kostova
  • Huffman, Wallace E.

Abstract

This paper establishes the econometric underpinning of an aggregate household health production function and an aggregate household health supply function for developed countries. The conceptual model builds on productive household models for health. A pooled time series cross sectional model of obesity-related mortality is fitted to annual data for 18 high income countries over 1971-2001. In the health production function, we show that obesity-related mortality is related to diet, socialized medicine, and trend dominated factors such as medical knowledge and technology. In the health supply function, we show that cheap food increases obesity-related mortality and a modest level of socialized medicine reduces it. The results for labor market variables imply that individuals who are in the labor force burn more calories in their daily activities than do those who do not work in the market and have lower obesity-related mortality.

Suggested Citation

  • Rickertsen, Kyrre & Tegene, Abebayehu & Huffman, Sonya Kostova & Huffman, Wallace E., 2006. "The Economics of Obesity-Related Mortality Among High Income Countries," Working Papers 18211, Iowa State University, Department of Economics.
  • Handle: RePEc:ags:genres:18211
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.18211
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    1. Herzfeld, Thomas & Huffman, Sonya K. & Rizov, Marian, 2009. "The Dynamics of the Russian Lifestyle During Transition: Changes in Food, Alcohol and Cigarette Consumption," Staff General Research Papers Archive 13116, Iowa State University, Department of Economics.
    2. Chen, Yanni & Huffman, Wallace E., 2009. "An Economic Analysis of the Impact of Food Prices and Other Factors on Adult Lifestyles: Choices of Physical Activity and Healthy Weight," 2009 Conference, August 16-22, 2009, Beijing, China 49987, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    3. Sonya K. Huffman & Marian Rizov, 2007. "The Rise of Obesity in Transition Economies: Theory and Evidence from the Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey," LICOS Discussion Papers 18507, LICOS - Centre for Institutions and Economic Performance, KU Leuven.
    4. Chen, Yanni, 2009. "An economic analysis of decisions on physical activity and energy imbalance: cross-sectional evidence from a panel of middle-aged adults," ISU General Staff Papers 200901010800001747, Iowa State University, Department of Economics.
    5. Herzfeld, Thomas & Huffman, Sonya Kostova & Oskam, Arie J. & Rizov, Marian, 2009. "Changes in Food, Alcohol and Cigarettes Consumption during Transition: Evidence from Russia," 2009 Annual Meeting, July 26-28, 2009, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 49239, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    6. Sonya Kostova Huffman, 2014. "BMI Changes in Russian Adults: The Role of Health Related Behaviors and Spousal Relationships," Research in Applied Economics, Macrothink Institute, vol. 6(3), pages 129-142, September.
    7. Herzfeld, Thomas & Huffman, Sonya & Rizov, Marian, 2014. "The dynamics of food, alcohol and cigarette consumption in Russia during transition," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 13, pages 128-143.
    8. Huang, Ying, 2012. "an econometric study of the impact of economic variables on adult obesity and food assistance program participation in the NLSY panel," ISU General Staff Papers 201201010800003717, Iowa State University, Department of Economics.
    9. Huffman, Sonya K. & Rizov, Marian, 2007. "Determinants of obesity in transition economies: The case of Russia," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 5(3), pages 379-391, December.
    10. Miller, J. Corey & Coble, Keith H., 2008. "An International Comparison of the Effects of Government Agricultural Support on Food Budget Shares," Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 40(2), pages 551-558, August.

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