Obesity and Happiness

Abstract

This paper provides insight on the relationship between obesity and happiness. Using the latest available cross sectional data from Germany (GSOEP 2006), UK (BHPS 2005), and Australia (HILDA 2007). We examine whether there is evidence on the impact of overweight on subjective well being. The Hausman test is employed in the univariate and multivariate speci cations chosen and reveals evidence for the presence of endogeneity in the German and the Australian data. Instrumental variable analysis is performed under the presence of endogeneity whereas for the UK we run OLS regressions. Results indicate that in all three countries obesity has a negative and signi cant e ect on the subjective well being of individuals. For Germany, using a di erences-in-di erences methodology, I nd that non-overweight/non-obese individuals are on average 0:5 units happier than their overweight/obese counterparts. Our ndings also have important implications for the e ect of other socio-demographic, economic and individual characteristics on well being.