The Effect of Fast Food Restaurants on Obesity and Weight Gain

Janet Currie, Stefano DellaVigna, Enrico Moretti and Vikram Pathania

American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, 2010, vol. 2, issue 3, 32-63

Abstract: We investigate how changes in the supply of fast food restaurants affect weight outcomes of 3 million children and 3 million pregnant women. Among ninth graders, a fast food restaurant within 0.1 miles of a school results in a 5.2 percent increase in obesity rates. Among pregnant women, a fast-food restaurant within 0.5 miles of residence results in a 1.6 percent increase in the probability of gaining over 20 kilos. The implied effects on caloric intake are one order of magnitude larger for children than for mothers, consistent with smaller travel cost for adults. Non-fast food restaurants and future fast-food restaurants are uncorrelated with weight outcomes. (JEL I12, J13, J16, L83)

JEL-codes: I12 J13 J16 L83 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2010
Note: DOI: 10.1257/pol.2.3.32
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (148)

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