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The effect of fast food restaurants on obesity and weight gain

journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-08, 15:05 authored by Janet Currie, Stefano DellaVigna, Enrico Moretti, Vikram Pathania
We investigate how changes in the supply of fast food restaurants affect weight outcomes of 3 million children and 3 million pregnant women. Among ninth graders, a fast food restaurant within 0.1 miles of a school results in a 5.2 percent increase in obesity rates. Among pregnant women, a fast-food restaurant within 0.5 miles of residence results in a 1.6 percent increase in the probability of gaining over 20 kilos. The implied effects on caloric intake are one order of magnitude larger for children than for mothers, consistent with smaller travel cost for adults. Non-fast food restaurants and future fast-food restaurants are uncorrelated with weight outcomes. (JEL I12, J13, J16, L83)

History

Publication status

  • Published

Journal

American Economic Journal: Economic Policy

ISSN

1945-7731

Publisher

American Economic Association

Issue

3

Volume

2

Page range

32-63

Department affiliated with

  • Economics Publications

Full text available

  • No

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2013-09-10

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