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Title: The Macroeconomics of Obesity in the United States

Citation Type: Miscellaneous

Publication Year: 2006

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Abstract: The weight of the average American adult male and female has increased by 16 and14 pounds respectively and obesity rates have doubled since the early 1960s. Recentstudies show these changes in weight can be attributed to the dramatic rise in theconsumption of food away from home. We investigate the role of taxes and the genderwage gap in accounting for the trends in the composition of food consumed by theaverage American adult. According to our general equilibrium analysis, the observedmovements in the personal income tax rate and in the gender wage gap explain theincrease in the caloric intake from the consumption of food away from home. Our theoryis also consistent with the patterns of time use on market activities, food preparation,and capital specific for cooking activities of Americans.

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Authors: Gomis-Porqueras, Pere; Peralta-Alva, Adrian

Publisher: University of Miami

Data Collections: IPUMS USA

Topics: Labor Force and Occupational Structure, Other

Countries: United States