Authors
Janet Currie, Stefano DellaVigna, Enrico Moretti, Vikram Pathania
Publication date
2010/8
Journal
AEJ: Economic Policy
Volume
2
Pages
32-63
Publisher
American Economic Association
Description
We investigate how changes in the supply of fast food restaurants affect weight outcomes of 3 million children and 3 million pregnant women. Among ninth graders, a fast food restaurant within 0.1 miles of a school results in a 5.2 percent increase in obesity rates. Among pregnant women, a fast-food restaurant within 0.5 miles of residence results in a 1.6 percent increase in the probability of gaining over 20 kilos. The implied effects on caloric intake are one order of magnitude larger for children than for mothers, consistent with smaller travel cost for adults. Non-fast food restaurants and future fast-food restaurants are uncorrelated with weight outcomes. (JEL I12, J13, J16, L83)
Total citations
200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420265046535455655346514450363316
Scholar articles