Peer effects in adolescent overweight

• Published in: Journal of health economics Vol. 27; no. 5; pp. 1388 - 1399
• Main Authors: Trogdon, Justin G., Nonnemaker, James, Pais, Joanne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.09.2008; Elsevier; Elsevier Sequoia S.A
• Series: Journal of Health Economics
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescent Behavior - psychology; Adolescents; Attitude to Health; Body Mass Index; Causality; Correlation analysis; Estimates; Estimation; Female; Friends; Health administration; Humans; Impact analysis; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Obesity; Obesity - epidemiology; Obesity - etiology; Obesity - psychology; Overweight; Overweight - epidemiology; Overweight - etiology; Overweight - psychology; Overweight/obesity; Peer effects; Peer Group; Peer groups; Peers; Prevalence; Residence Characteristics; Risk-Taking; Schools; Sex Factors; Social networks; Social Support; Studies; Teenagers; United States - epidemiology; United States; I10; Peer effects; Overweight/obesity; Adolescents
• ISSN: 0167-6296; 1879-1646
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2008.05.003

This study is the first to estimate peer effects for adolescent weight. We use data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) and define peer groups using nominated friends within schools. Endogenous peer groups are accounted for using a combination of school fixed effects, instrumental variables, and alternative definitions of peers (i.e., grade-level peers). Mean peer weight is correlated with adolescent weight, even after controlling endogenous peer groups. The impact of peer weight is larger among females and adolescents with high body mass index. The results are consistent with social multipliers for adolescent overweight policies.