The Effect of Maternal Employment on Youth Overweight in Australia

Abstract

Using data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey, this article seeks to estimate the causal effect of maternal labour supply on the body mass index and overweight status of older children in Australia. To achieve this aim, proxy variables, instrumental variables and sibling-difference models are used to account for the potential endogeneity of maternal employment. The results show that part-time or full-time work by the mother is associated with decreased excess body weight in youths, relative to not working at all. Further analysis reveals that this relationship does not operate through increased earned income.