Physical Activity: Economic and Policy Factors

42 Pages Posted: 8 Jun 2009 Last revised: 4 Feb 2024

See all articles by Melayne Morgan McInnes

Melayne Morgan McInnes

University of South Carolina - Darla Moore School of Business

Judith Shinogle

University of Maryland

Date Written: June 2009

Abstract

While much research has focused on the costs of obesity and economic factors that drive obesity growth, little economic research has examined the factors that contribute to obesity -- physical inactivity and poor nutrition. This paper will examine correlates and predictors of physical activity over time with emphasis on economic factors. We use data for adults from the 2000-2005 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey that includes state and county codes for each individual that allows us to add supplementary data on state beer and cigarette taxes, local transportation costs, availability of gyms and recreational facilities, county unemployment, crime rates, and prices of related goods. We find that income and education has a strong and consistently positive effect on physical activity across specifications. Sin taxes have no effect on the likelihood of any exercise but generally have negative effects on vigorous exercise or moderate and vigorous exercise. Physical activity is more likely when there are more parks per capita in a county. Our results above are robust to the inclusion of weight status and use of flu shots (a measure of an individual's tendency towards prevention).

Suggested Citation

McInnes, Melayne Morgan and Shinogle, Judith, Physical Activity: Economic and Policy Factors (June 2009). NBER Working Paper No. w15039, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1415202

Melayne Morgan McInnes (Contact Author)

University of South Carolina - Darla Moore School of Business ( email )

1705 College St
Francis M. Hipp Building
Columbia, SC 29208
United States

Judith Shinogle

University of Maryland ( email )

College Park
College Park, MD 20742
United States