Do Changes in the Minimum Wage Impact Obesity in the U.S.?

24 Pages Posted: 28 Sep 2009

See all articles by Chad D. Cotti

Chad D. Cotti

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

Nathan Tefft

Bates College

Date Written: September 27, 2009

Abstract

We investigate how changes in federal and state minimum wages affect body mass index and the probability of obesity using data from the 1990 through 2008 waves of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. After controlling for unobserved trends at the state level we find that, in contrast to previous work that only accounts for state and year fixed effects, there is a positive relationship between the minimum wage and both mean body mass index and the probability of being obese. Further, we offer the first comprehensive analysis of the price and income components of the minimum wage effect.

Keywords: minimum wage, obesity

JEL Classification: I1, J38

Suggested Citation

Cotti, Chad D. and Tefft, Nathan, Do Changes in the Minimum Wage Impact Obesity in the U.S.? (September 27, 2009). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1479307 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1479307

Chad D. Cotti

University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh ( email )

800 Algoma Blvd
Oshkosh, WI WI 54901
United States

Nathan Tefft (Contact Author)

Bates College ( email )

Lewiston, ME 04240
United States

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