This paper is the first to use the method of instrumental variables (IV) to estimate the impact of obesity on medical … genetic variation in weight as a natural experiment, yields estimates of the impact of obesity on medical costs that are … considerably higher than the estimates reported in the previous literature. For example, obesity is associated with $656 higher …

The rise of childhood obesity in less developed countries is often overlooked. We study the impact of body weight … least obese classrooms. As obesity rates increase, reference points for appropriate body weights may rise, making it more … difficult to lower obesity rates. …

In response to the dramatic rise in childhood obesity, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and other organizations … of obesity among 5th graders. This effect is concentrated among boys; we find evidence that this gender difference is …. This represents some of the first evidence of a causal effect of PE on youth obesity, and thus offers at least some support …

The increasing concern of the policy maker about eating behaviour has focused on the spread of obesity and on the … increasing the thin ideal weight can be welfare improving, but may exacerbate the obesity epidemic. …

to prices. However, another potentially important reason for rising obesity is that food producers have incentives to … become more common as obesity has increased. …

associated chronic conditions and behavioral patterns such as obesity, smoking, and malnutrition increase the incidence of many … externality for obesity. The lower bound is independent of how much additional innovation is generated. The results show that the … externality we identify offsets the negative Medicare-induced insurance externality of obesity. The Medicare-induced obesity …