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Food environment and childhood obesity: The effect of dollar stores

Author

Listed:
  • Andreas C. Drichoutis

    (Department of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural University of Athens)

  • Rodolfo M. Nayga

    (Department of Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness, Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas)

  • Heather L. Rouse

    (College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences)

  • Michael R. Thomsen

    (Department of Agricultural Economics & Agribusiness, Division of Agriculture, University of Arkansas)

Abstract

In this paper we examine the effect of dollar stores on children's Body Mass Index (BMI). We use data from a dataset compiled by the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement which created and implemented the BMI screening process for all public school children in the state of Arkansas. We combine propensity score matching with difference-in-difference methods to deal with time-invariant as well time-varying unobserved factors. We find no evidence that the presence of dollar stores within a reasonably close proximity to the child's residence can increase BMI. In fact, we see an increase in BMI when dollar stores leave a child's neighborhood which we interpret as a sign of neighborhood deterioration. Given the proliferation of dollar stores in rural and low-income urban areas, the question of how dollar stores could contribute to dietary health should be considered in efforts to combat childhood obesity.

Suggested Citation

  • Andreas C. Drichoutis & Rodolfo M. Nayga & Heather L. Rouse & Michael R. Thomsen, 2014. "Food environment and childhood obesity: The effect of dollar stores," Working Papers 2014-1, Agricultural University of Athens, Department Of Agricultural Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:aua:wpaper:2014-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Childhood obesity; foot-at-home; propensity score matching; difference-in-difference.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • C31 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models; Quantile Regressions; Social Interaction Models
    • C33 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models

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