Obesity and Educational Attainment

This research estimates the influence of adolescent weight status on levels of educational attainment. Prior studies have found a causal role of obesity in other economic outcomes such as income. Given the crucial role of human capital investments for economic success, estimates of the causal influence of weight problems on education accumulation are provided. Models ignoring the potential endogeneity of education and weight status indicate that obese and overweight females obtain less education than their peers while weight problems have no influence on educational attainment for males. Estimates accounting for the endogeneity of weight status indicate that weight problems cause a reduction in the likelihood of high school graduation for males and a reduced likelihood of college attendance for overweight females. Potential mechanisms to explain these relationships and their implication for school-based programs to reduce obesity are discussed. Timothy J. Classen Loyola University Chicago January 2009 JEL Classifications: I12, J24, J62