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Partially Adaptive Econometric Methods and the Modern Obesity Epidemic

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  • Scott A. Carson
  • James B. McDonald

Abstract

Assumptions about explanatory variables and errors are central in regression analysis. For example, the well-known method of ordinary least squares yields consistent and efficient estimators if the underlying error terms are independently, identically, and normally distributed. Additionally, the conditional distribution of the dependent variable is symmetric. The modern obesity epidemic is a well-known health dilemma where the BMI distribution was initially positively skewed but has become more symmetric, which may affect inferences about health and public resource allocation. This study applies partially adaptive estimation methods with flexible error distributions to account for possible skewness and leptokurtosis in the distribution of BMI.

Suggested Citation

  • Scott A. Carson & James B. McDonald, 2018. "Partially Adaptive Econometric Methods and the Modern Obesity Epidemic," CESifo Working Paper Series 7058, CESifo.
    • Handle: RePEc:ces:ceswps:_7058
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hansen, Christian & McDonald, James B. & Newey, Whitney K., 2010. "Instrumental Variables Estimation With Flexible Distributions," Journal of Business & Economic Statistics, American Statistical Association, vol. 28(1), pages 13-25.
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    3. Eric B. Schneider, 2017. "Children's growth in an adaptive framework: explaining the growth patterns of American slaves and other historical populations," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 70(1), pages 3-29, February.
    4. Butler, Richard J, et al, 1990. "Robust and Partially Adaptive Estimation of Regression Models," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 72(2), pages 321-327, May.
    5. Robert Fogel & Dora Costa, 1997. "A theory of technophysio evolution, with some implications for forecasting population, health care costs, and pension costs," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 34(1), pages 49-66, February.
    6. Henderson, R. Max, 2005. "The bigger the healthier: Are the limits of BMI risk changing over time?," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 3(3), pages 339-366, December.
    7. Carson, Scott Alan, 2009. "Racial differences in body mass indices of men imprisoned in 19th Century Texas," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 7(1), pages 121-127, March.
    8. Fogel, Robert W, 1994. "Economic Growth, Population Theory, and Physiology: The Bearing of Long-Term Processes on the Making of Economic Policy," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 84(3), pages 369-395, June.
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    11. Panayiotis Theodossiou, 2015. "Skewed Generalized Error Distribution of Financial Assets and Option Pricing," Multinational Finance Journal, Multinational Finance Journal, vol. 19(4), pages 223-266, December.
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    13. Koch, Daniel, 2011. "Waaler revisited: The anthropometrics of mortality," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 9(1), pages 106-117, January.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    obesity epidemic; partially adaptive estimation; skewed generalized T distribution;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C10 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - General
    • D13 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Household Production and Intrahouse Allocation
    • J13 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Fertility; Family Planning; Child Care; Children; Youth

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