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Not Only in My Genes: The Effects of Peers' Genotype on Obesity

Author

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  • Brunello, Giorgio

    (University of Padova)

  • Sanz-de-Galdeano, Anna

    (Universidad de Alicante)

  • Terskaya, Anastasia

    (University of Barcelona)

Abstract

We use data from three waves of Add Health to study the short- and long-run effects of high school peers' genetic predisposition to high BMI – measured by grade-mates' average BMI polygenic scores – on adolescent and adult obesity in the U.S. We find that, in the short-run, a one standard deviation increase in peers' average BMI polygenic scores raises the probability of obesity for females by 2.8 percentage points, about half the size of the effect induced by a one standard deviation increase in one's own polygenic score. No significant effect is found for males. In the long-run, however, the social-genetic effect fades away, while the effect of one's own genetic risk for BMI increases substantially. We suggest that mechanisms explaining the short-run effect for females include changes in nutrition habits and a distorted perception of body size.

Suggested Citation

  • Brunello, Giorgio & Sanz-de-Galdeano, Anna & Terskaya, Anastasia, 2019. "Not Only in My Genes: The Effects of Peers' Genotype on Obesity," IZA Discussion Papers 12763, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp12763
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    3. Sanz-de-Galdeano, Anna & Terskaya, Anastasia & Upegui, Angie, 2020. "Association of a Genetic Risk Score with BMI along the Life-Cycle: Evidence from Several US Cohorts," IZA Discussion Papers 13671, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    4. Nuñez, Roy, 2020. "Obesity and labor market in Peru," MPRA Paper 105621, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Zheng, Boyan & Fletcher, Jason & Zheng, Fengyi & Lu, Qiongshi, 2022. "Gene-by-peer-environment interaction effects on cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use among US high school students of European Ancestry," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 309(C).
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    BMI polygenic scores; peer effect; obesity; Add Health;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D62 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Externalities
    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior

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