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The Strength of Social Interactions and Obesity among Women

In: Agent-Based Computational Modelling

Author

Listed:
  • Mary A. Burke

    (Federal Reserve Bank of Boston)

  • Frank Heiland

    (Florida State University)

Abstract

Summary In order to explain the differences in obesity rates among women in the United States by education, we model a social process in which body weight norms are determined endogenously in relation to the weight distribution of the peer group. The model features biologically grounded variation in metabolism, and enables us to describe a complete distribution of weights in equilibrium. We assume that individuals compare themselves to others with the same level of education, and that the importance of conforming to the group weight norm increases with education status. Consistent with observed body weights among women in the United States, the model predicts lower average weights and less dispersion of weight among more educated women.

Suggested Citation

  • Mary A. Burke & Frank Heiland, 2006. "The Strength of Social Interactions and Obesity among Women," Contributions to Economics, in: Francesco C. Billari & Thomas Fent & Alexia Prskawetz & Jürgen Scheffran (ed.), Agent-Based Computational Modelling, pages 117-137, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:conchp:978-3-7908-1721-8_6
    DOI: 10.1007/3-7908-1721-X_6
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Belinda Diaz & Thomas Fent & Alexia Prskawetz & Laura Bernardi, 2011. "Transition to Parenthood: The Role of Social Interaction and Endogenous Networks," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 48(2), pages 559-579, May.
    2. PAN, Jay & QIN, Xuezheng & LIU, Gordon G., 2013. "The impact of body size on urban employment: Evidence from China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 249-263.
    3. Toni Mora, 2010. "BMI and Spanish labour status: evidence by gender from the city of Barcelona," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 11(3), pages 239-253, June.

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