Explaining the Female Black-White Obesity Gap: A Decomposition Analysis of Proximal Causes

31 Pages Posted: 17 Jul 2011

See all articles by David W. Johnston

David W. Johnston

Monash University - Centre for Health Economics

Wang-Sheng Lee

Monash University

Abstract

There exists remarkably large differences in body weights and obesity prevalence between black and white women in the US, and crucially these differences are a significant contributor to black-white inequalities in health. In this paper, we investigate the most proximal explanations for the weight gap, namely differences in diet and exercise. More specifically, we decompose black-white differences in body mass index and waist-to-height ratio into components reflecting black-white differences in energy intake and energy expenditure. The analysis indicates that over consumption is much more important than a lack of exercise in explaining the weight gap, which suggests that diet interventions will have to play a fundamental role if the weight gap between black and white women is to decline.

Keywords: obesity, decomposition

JEL Classification: I1, J11

Suggested Citation

Johnston, David W. and Lee, Wang-Sheng, Explaining the Female Black-White Obesity Gap: A Decomposition Analysis of Proximal Causes. IZA Discussion Paper No. 5841, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1887527 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1887527

David W. Johnston (Contact Author)

Monash University - Centre for Health Economics ( email )

Wang-Sheng Lee

Monash University ( email )

900 Dandenong Road
Caulfield East, Victoria 3145
Australia

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
68
Abstract Views
627
Rank
603,784
PlumX Metrics