Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 16, 2025

Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting Propensity Score using the Military Health System Data Repository and National Death Index
Published on: January 8, 2020
Distributional Effects of Recent Health Insurance Expansions on Weight-Related Outcomes
Melissa McInerney1, Mark K Meiselbach2
1Department of Economics, Tufts University, Medford, MA, United States.
Abstract:
We provide new evidence that weight-related outcomes improved for the severely obese following three recent health insurance expansions. Using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from 2001 through 2016, we examine the effects of Massachusetts health care reform, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) dependent coverage mandate, and the ACA Medicaid expansion on Body Mass Index (BMI) and the likelihood of obesity or severe obesity. Estimates from unconditional quantile regression show that Body Mass Index (BMI) fell among the severely obese who are at the top of the distribution of BMI following all three of these insurance expansions. We also observe a robust reduction in the likelihood of severe obesity following the ACA dependent coverage mandate, and suggestive evidence of a reduction in severe obesity following Massachusetts health care reform. Together, these results identify an important benefit arising from recent health insurance expansions: improved weight-related outcomes for those with severe obesity.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Dosing: Obese Patients
Pharmacokinetics in Obese Patients: Drug Absorption and Distribution
Dimensions of Health and Illness
Obesity
Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
Regression Toward the Mean

