Physical Activity and Health Outcome: Evidence from Canada

Brad Humphreys, Logan McLeod () and Jane Ruseski

No 2011-6, Working Papers from University of Alberta, Department of Economics

Abstract: Health production models include participation in physical activity as an input. We investigate the relationship between participation in physical activity and health using a bivariate probit model. Participation is identifi ed with an exclusion restriction on a variable reflecting sense of belonging to the community. Estimates based on data from Cycle 3.1 of the Canadian Community Health Survey indicate that participation in physical activity reduces the reported incidence of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, asthma, and arthritis as well as being in fair or poor health. Increasing the intensity and frequency of participation in physical activity appears to have a diminishing marginal impact on adverse health outcomes above the moderate level.

Keywords: health production; physical activity; lifestyle choices; bivariate probit (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I12 I18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 32 pages
Date: 2011-05-01
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hea
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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Related works:
Journal Article: PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTH OUTCOMES: EVIDENCE FROM CANADA (2014)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ris:albaec:2011_006

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