Ruhr Economic Papers

Ruhr Economic Papers #381

Obesity, Weight Loss, and Employment Prospects – Evidence from a Randomized Trial

by Arndt R. Reichert

RWI, 11/2012, 41 S./p., 8 Euro, ISBN 978-3-86788-436-5 DOI: 10.4419/86788436

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Abstract

This study presents credible estimates for the causal effect of a variation in obesity on employment. 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.

JEL-Classification: I10, I18, J24, J21

Keywords: Obesity; weight loss intervention; IV estimation; sample selection; labor productivity; employment

Published as:

Reichert, A. R. (2015), Obesity, Weight Loss, and Employment Prospects - Evidence from a Randomized Trial. Journal of Human Resources 50 (3): 759-810. DOI: 10.3368/jhr.50.3.759