Effects of Overweight on Risky Sexual Behavior of Adolescent Girls

35 Pages Posted: 12 Jul 2010 Last revised: 11 Mar 2023

See all articles by Susan L. Averett

Susan L. Averett

Lafayette College - Department of Economics & Business

Hope Corman

Rider University; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

Nancy E. Reichman

Rutgers University, New Brunswick - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Date Written: July 2010

Abstract

We use data from The National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health to estimate effects of adolescent girls' overweight on their propensity to engage in risky sexual behavior. We estimate single equation, two-stage, and sibling fixed-effects models and find that overweight or obese teenage girls are more likely than their recommended-weight peers to engage in certain types of risky sexual behavior but not others. The results from this study underscore the importance of using multifaceted and contemporary measures of risky sexual behavior and have implications for the health and well-being of adolescent girls.

Suggested Citation

Averett, Susan and Corman, Hope and Reichman, Nancy E., Effects of Overweight on Risky Sexual Behavior of Adolescent Girls (July 2010). NBER Working Paper No. w16172, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1636601

Susan Averett (Contact Author)

Lafayette College - Department of Economics & Business ( email )

Easton, PA 18042
United States
610-250-5307 (Phone)
610-250-8961 (Fax)

Hope Corman

Rider University ( email )

2083 Lawrenceville Road
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
United States
609-895-5559 (Phone)
609-896-5304 (Fax)

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)

1050 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Nancy E. Reichman

Rutgers University, New Brunswick - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School ( email )

97 Paterson Street
Room 435
New Brunswick, NJ 08903
United States

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