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The Direct Effect of Obesity on Emotional Well-Being: Evidence from Mexico

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  • Olivier Bargain

    (Aix-Marseille University (Aix-Marseille School of Economics), CNRS & EHESS)

  • Jinan Zeidan

    (Aix-Marseille University (Aix-Marseille School of Economics), CNRS & EHESS)

Abstract

Obesity spreads more easily if is not perceived negatively. This may be the case among the poor, for whom fatness can be an external sign of wealth. We estimate the direct effect of overweight on emotional well-being in Mexico, a country facing the highest obesity rate in the world. Individual fatness is instrumented using variation in genetic predisposition. Results confirm a positive or insignificant effects of obesity among the poor and point to a depressing effect among the rich. This is consistent with contrasted norms, related to unequal development levels, which may exacerbate health inequality and justify targeted communication by health authorities.

Suggested Citation

  • Olivier Bargain & Jinan Zeidan, 2014. "The Direct Effect of Obesity on Emotional Well-Being: Evidence from Mexico," AMSE Working Papers 1432, Aix-Marseille School of Economics, France, revised 16 Jul 2014.
    • Handle: RePEc:aim:wpaimx:1432
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    Cited by:

    1. Parisa Amiri & Sara Jalali-Farahani & Marjan Rezaei & Leila Cheraghi & Farhad Hosseinpanah & Fereidoun Azizi, 2018. "Which obesity phenotypes predict poor health-related quality of life in adult men and women? Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(9), pages 1-14, September.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    emotional well-being; obesity; waist-to-height ratio;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D1 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being

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