Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/80573 
Year of Publication: 
2013
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 7512
Publisher: 
Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
Eating disorders affect 12-25% of college women. Previous research established a positive correlation between sorority membership and eating disorders. We investigate a possible causal link between sororities and weight-related behaviors and eating disorders using data from the American College Health Association. Using Propensity Score Matching and Instrumental Variable methods, we confirm that sororities exert a negative effect on the weight-related behaviors of their members. However, females who are more resilient to these outcomes self-select into sororities, implying that females in sororities are less adversely affected by them than a female who was randomly selected to join a sorority would be.
Subjects: 
obesity
underweight
BMI
sorority
anorexia
bulimia
eating disorders
weight control
JEL: 
I12
I18
Document Type: 
Working Paper

Files in This Item:
File
Size
308.19 kB





Items in EconStor are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.