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Non-Linear relationship between Body Mass Index and labor market outcomes: New evidence from China

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  • Luo, Mi
  • Zhang, Chuanchuan

Abstract

Using data from a most recent national household survey in China, we provide new evidence for the associations between body mass index (BMI) and labor market attainments. In contrast to previous studies, we find a significant non-linear relationship between BMI and probability of employment / wages, especially for women. Several potential channels are discussed carefully, including health, occupational sorting, self-esteem, and discrimination. Our findings are in favor of pure discrimination from potential employers, rather than the other three channels.

Suggested Citation

  • Luo, Mi & Zhang, Chuanchuan, 2012. "Non-Linear relationship between Body Mass Index and labor market outcomes: New evidence from China," MPRA Paper 42683, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:pra:mprapa:42683
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Brunello, Giorgio & D'Hombres, Beatrice, 2007. "Does body weight affect wages?: Evidence from Europe," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 5(1), pages 1-19, March.
    2. Markus M. Mobius & Tanya S. Rosenblat, 2006. "Why Beauty Matters," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 96(1), pages 222-235, March.
    3. Harper, Barry, 2000. "Beauty, Stature and the Labour Market: A British Cohort Study," Oxford Bulletin of Economics and Statistics, Department of Economics, University of Oxford, vol. 62(0), pages 771-800, Special I.
    4. Morris, Stephen, 2006. "Body mass index and occupational attainment," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 25(2), pages 347-364, March.
    5. Hamermesh, Daniel S & Biddle, Jeff E, 1994. "Beauty and the Labor Market," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 84(5), pages 1174-1194, December.
    6. John Cawley, 2004. "The Impact of Obesity on Wages," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 39(2).
    7. Naci Mocan & Erdal Tekin, 2011. "Obesity, Self-Esteem and Wages," NBER Chapters, in: Economic Aspects of Obesity, pages 349-380, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    Cited by:

    1. Hübler, Olaf, 2019. "The Role of Body Weight for Health, Earnings and Life Satisfaction," IZA Discussion Papers 12078, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    2. Hübler Olaf, 2020. "The Gender-specific Role of Body Weight for Health, Earnings and Life Satisfaction in Piecewise and Simultaneous Equations Models," Journal of Economics and Statistics (Jahrbuecher fuer Nationaloekonomie und Statistik), De Gruyter, vol. 240(5), pages 653-676, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Body mass index; Unemployment; Wage; Non-linear correlation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J31 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Wages, Compensation, and Labor Costs - - - Wage Level and Structure; Wage Differentials
    • I12 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health Behavior
    • J64 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Unemployment: Models, Duration, Incidence, and Job Search

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