The Effect of Neighborhood Fast Food on Children’s BMI: Evidence from a Sample of Movers

Qian Yiwei, Thomsen Michael R. (), Rodolfo Nayga and Rouse Heather L.
Additional contact information
Qian Yiwei: University of Arkansas, 217 Agriculture Building, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
Thomsen Michael R.: University of Arkansas, 217 Agriculture Building, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
Rouse Heather L.: Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA

The B.E. Journal of Economic Analysis & Policy, 2017, vol. 17, issue 4, 15

Abstract: We use a statewide panel dataset and an instrumental variable strategy to identify the effect of neighborhood fast food on the BMI z-scores of Arkansas public schoolchildren. As in earlier studies, we use distance from the child’s residence to the nearest major highway as an instrument for the density of fast-food restaurants. The sample is limited to children who moved at least once during the study period to ensure temporal variation in our instrument. Neighborhood fast food does have significant and positive effects on their BMI z-scores. The effect is disproportionately large for children who are rural, non-minority and female.

Keywords: childhood obesity; BMI z-score; fast food; instrumental variables (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I10 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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DOI: 10.1515/bejeap-2016-0251

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