Working Paper: CEPR ID: DP6191
Authors: Jean Eid; Henry G. Overman; Diego Puga; Matthew A. Turner
Abstract: We study the relationship between urban sprawl and obesity. Using data that tracks individuals over time, we find no evidence that urban sprawl causes obesity. We show that previous findings of a positive relationship most likely reflect a failure to properly control for the fact the individuals who are more likely to be obese choose to live in more sprawling neighbourhoods. Our results indicate that current interest in changing the built environment to counter the rise in obesity is misguided.
Keywords: Obesity; Selection Effects; Urban Sprawl
JEL Codes: I12; R14
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| urban sprawl (R11) | obesity (I12) |
| individuals predisposed to obesity (D91) | residential sprawl (R20) |
| residential sprawl (R20) | BMI (I12) |
| mixed-use neighborhoods (R23) | obesity (I12) |
| individual characteristics (Z13) | BMI (I12) |