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

Arndt Reichert

No 381, Ruhr Economic Papers from RWI - Leibniz-Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Ruhr-University Bochum, TU Dortmund University, University of Duisburg-Essen

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.

Keywords: obesity; weight loss intervention; IV estimation; sample selection; labor productivity; employment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I10 I18 J21 J24 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Related works:
Journal Article: Obesity, Weight Loss, and Employment Prospects: Evidence from a Randomized Trial (2015)
Working Paper: Obesity, Weight Loss, and Employment Prospects: Evidence from a Randomized Trial (2013)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:zbw:rwirep:381

DOI: 10.4419/86788436

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