Abstract
This study presents credible estimates for the causal effect of BMI growth on employment among the obese. By exploring random assignment of a weight-loss intervention based on monetary rewards, I provide convincing evidence that weight loss positively affects the employment prospects of obese women but not of obese men. Consistent with this, significant effects of weight loss on proxy variables for labor productivity are found only for obese women.
- Received April 2013.
- Accepted May 2014.
This article requires a subscription to view the full text. If you have a subscription you may use the login form below to view the article. Access to this article can also be purchased.
Log in using your username and password
Purchase access
You may purchase access to this article. This will require you to create an account if you don't already have one.
In this issue
Jump to section
- Article
- Abstract
- I. Introduction
- II. Background
- III. Experiment and Data
- IV. Estimation Strategy
- V. Results
- VI. Sample Selection
- VII. Effect Size and Employment Legislation
- VIII. Potential Mediators of Weight Loss
- IX. Discussion and Concluding Remarks
- Acknowledgments
- Appendix A Worst-Case Reduced-Form Effect Bounds
- Appendix B Fiscal Effects of the Weight-Loss Intervention
- Footnotes
- References
- Figures & Data
- Info & Metrics
- References