TY - JOUR T1 - Caught in the Bulimic Trap? JF - Journal of Human Resources JO - J Hum Resour SP - 736 LP - 767 DO - 10.3368/jhr.48.3.736 VL - 48 IS - 3 AU - John C. Ham AU - Daniela Iorio AU - Michelle Sovinsky Y1 - 2013/07/01 UR - http://jhr.uwpress.org/content/48/3/736.abstract N2 - Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a growing health concern and its consequences are especially serious given the compulsive nature of the disorder. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying the persistent nature of BN. Using data from the NHLBI Growth and Health Study and instrumental variable techniques, we document that unobserved heterogeneity plays a role in the persistence of BN, but up to two-thirds of it is due to state dependence. Our findings suggest that the timing of policy is crucial: Preventive educational programs should be coupled with more intense (rehabilitation) treatment at the early stages of the BN behaviors. ER -