Estimating Heterogeneous and Hierarchical Peer Influences on Body Weight Using Roommate Assignment as a Natural Experiment

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

28 p.

Publication Date

Winter 2014

Publisher

University of Wisconsin Press

Source Publication

Journal of Human Resources

Source ISSN

0022-166X

Abstract

We investigate peer effects in weight gain by exploiting a natural experiment, roommate assignments of 751 male and 845 female first-year college students. Results indicate that females are subject to peer influence in weight gain, with little evidence of peer effects for males. Peer influences appear to be heterogeneous as heavier and thinner females are affected by roommates more than average-weight females, and hierarchical with females influenced only by roommates who are thinner, of a higher socioeconomic status, and more sexually experienced relative to themselves. Similarity of academic performance, religiosity, and political views appears to facilitate transmission of peer influences.

Comments

Journal of Human Resources, Vol. 49, No. 1 (Winter 2014): 234-261. Publisher Link.

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