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Decomposing body mass index gaps between Mediterranean countries: a counterfactual quantile regression analysis
Joan Costa-Font1, Daniele Fabbri, Joan Gil
1Department of Social Policy & European Institute London School of Economics, UK.
Economics and Human Biology
|September 29, 2009
Summary
Obesity differences between Spain and Italy in women are mainly due to varying returns to health factors, not underlying conditions. Behavioral factors are key, suggesting targeted obesity policies for young Spanish women.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Economics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Significant cross-country variations in obesity rates exist among European Union member states.
- These differences offer insights into health production determinants and socio-economic factors influencing body mass index (BMI).
Purpose of the Study:
- To apply a standardized methodology for cross-country BMI comparisons.
- To analyze the determinants of BMI differences between Italy and Spain in 2003.
Main Methods:
- Estimation of the marginal density function of BMI for Italy and Spain.
- Utilizing quantile regression to model BMI determinants and generate counterfactual distributions.
- Comparing health production inputs and their returns across countries.
Main Results:
- BMI gaps between Spanish and Italian females are significantly influenced by cross-country variations in covariate returns, particularly for younger women.
- Underlying health determinants do not fully explain the BMI gap in younger Spanish females compared to their Italian counterparts.
- Behavioral differences are identified as the primary driver of the observed BMI disparities.
Conclusions:
- Cross-country variations in the returns to health production inputs, rather than adverse determinants, largely explain BMI differences between Spanish and Italian women.
- Behavioral factors are crucial in understanding obesity disparities, especially among younger females.
- Obesity prevention policies in Spain should prioritize interventions targeting younger females.
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