Genetic Information, Obesity, and Labor Market Outcomes

Edward Norton and Euna Han

Health, Econometrics and Data Group (HEDG) Working Papers from HEDG, c/o Department of Economics, University of York

Abstract: Economists have argued that obesity may lead to worse labor market outcomes, especially for women. Empirical methods to test this hypothesis have not thus far adequately controlled for the endogeneity of obesity. We use variation in genotype to predict variation in phenotype (obesity). Genetic information from specific genes linked to obesity in the biomedical literature provide strong exogenous variation in the body mass index, and thus can be used as instrumental variables. These genes predict swings in weight of between 5 and 20 pounds for persons between five and six feet tall. We use additional genetic information to control for omitted variables correlated with both obesity and labor market outcomes. We analyzed data from the third wave of the Add Health data set, when respondents are in their mid-twenties. Results from our preferred models show no effect of obesity on the probability of employment or on wages, for either men or women. This paper shows the potential of using genetic information in social sciences.

Keywords: Obesity; genetics; labor market outcomes; employment; wages; Add Health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2007-07
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hea and nep-lab
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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Journal Article: Genetic information, obesity, and labor market outcomes (2008)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:yor:hectdg:07/15

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