Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/57144 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
2010
Series/Report no.: 
Working Paper Series in Economics No. 174
Publisher: 
Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, Institut für Volkswirtschaftslehre, Lüneburg
Abstract: 
Using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System for 2006, I test recent theoretical predictions on social comparisons influencing individual Body Mass Index (BMI). I find that in particular the average BMI of individuals in the same county-age-gender-cell as the respective individual influences BMI. Evidence from quantile regressions points towards significant heterogeneity of effects along the distribution. However, there is no evidence of some individuals becoming slimmer as a result of preferences for deviant behaviour. Life satisfaction regressions show a positive effect for BMI relative to the county average. Paradoxically, BMI relative to the cell average seems to have no effect on life satisfaction. These two results contradict most theories of social comparisons.
Subjects: 
imitative obesity
relative obesity
social contagion
comparison
weight
BMI
life satisfaction
JEL: 
D1
I12
I31
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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