Genetic risk,childhood obesity,and educational achievements |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Economics, Ball State University, Muncie, IN, United States of America;2. Department of Agricultural, Food and Resource Economics, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, United States of America;3. School of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China;1. George Washington University and NBER, United States;2. Naval Postgraduate School, United States;1. The Urban Institute, 500 L''Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC 20024, United States;2. Department of Economics, Georgia Southern University, United States;1. Department of Economics, Finance, and Quantitative Analysis, Kennesaw State University, United States;2. Department of Economics & Truman School of Government and Public Affairs, University of Missouri, United States;3. Department of Economics, University of Missouri, United States |
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| Abstract: | We use the genetic risk exclusively related to body mass index as an instrumental variable to examine the causal effects of childhood obesity on educational achievements. We find that childhood obesity decreases high school GPA by 0.92 grade points (33.0%), GPAs of different subjects by 0.72–1.11 grade points (21.7–42.6%), the probability of college enrollment by 0.37, the probability of college completion by 0.65, and years of schooling by 2.19 years (14.8%). Additionally, we explore potential underlying mechanisms through which childhood obesity adversely influences educational outcomes. Our results indicate that childhood obesity does not have a statistically significant influence on cognitive abilities. Nevertheless, it negatively affects educational achievements via health factors (overall health status, health-damaging behaviors, and psychological well-being), school absenteeism and aggression, college aspirations and expectations, and family dynamics. This research provides evidence that childhood obesity can hinder children's educational progress, potentially affecting adult outcomes and exacerbating economic inequality. |
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