Consequences of the obesity epidemic for immigrants

Laura Argys
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Laura Argys: University of Colorado Denver, USA, and IZA, Germany

IZA World of Labor, 2015, No 210, 210

Abstract: Upon arrival in a host country, immigrants often have lower obesity rates (as measured for instance by BMI—body mass index) than their native counterparts do, but these rates converge over time. In light of the worldwide obesity epidemic and the flow of immigrants into host countries with higher obesity rates, it is important to understand the consequences of such assimilation. Policymakers could benefit from a discussion of the impact of immigrant obesity on labor market outcomes and the use of public services. In particular, policies could find ways to improve immigrants’ access to health care for both the prevention and treatment of obesity.

Keywords: immigrants; obesity; BMI; assimilation; employment; wages (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J6 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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