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The impact of smoking during pregnancy on children's body weight

Author

Listed:
  • Kabir Dasgupta

    (New Zealand Work Research Institute, Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, Auckland University of Technology)

  • Keshar M. Ghimire

    (Business and Economics Department, University of Cincinnati - Blue ASh, United States)

  • Gail Pacheco

    (New Zealand Work Research Institute, Faculty of Business, Economics and Law, Auckland University of Technology)

Abstract

We study the effect of mothers' smoking during pregnancy on children's body weight outcomes during pre-school ages using a nationally representative sample of children surveyed in NLSY79 Children and Young Adults. Exploiting ‘within mother and across pregnancies’ variation in smoking behavior, we find that maternal smoking during pregnancy has a negative effect on weight outcomes at birth but the children of mothers who smoked during pregnancy catch up with the children of non-smokers, usually within their first-year post birth. We also find evidence to suggest that children of smokers in later pre-school ages (3 to 5 years old) are likely to have higher weight outcomes relative to children of non-smokers when their mother reported higher intensity levels of smoking (greater than one pack per day).

Suggested Citation

  • Kabir Dasgupta & Keshar M. Ghimire & Gail Pacheco, 2018. "The impact of smoking during pregnancy on children's body weight," Working Papers 2018-04, Auckland University of Technology, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:aut:wpaper:201804
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health

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