Weight, reference points, and the onset of eating disorders

Citation

Arduini, Tiziano; Iorio, Daniela; & Patacchini, Eleonora (2019). Weight, reference points, and the onset of eating disorders. Journal of Health Economics.

Abstract

We investigate whether the development of eating disorders, in the form of purging, is influenced by peers’ body size through interpersonal comparisons. Using detailed information on recent cohorts of U.S. teenagers, we document a sizeable and significant negative effect of high school peers’ body mass index (BMI) on purging behavior during the adolescence for females, but not for males. Interpersonal comparisons operate through the formation of a distorted self-perception: teenage girls with relatively thin female peers perceive themselves as heavier than they actually are. The girls who are more susceptible to peer influences are those having peers who are thinner, more popular, more (verbally) able, and with more educated parents.

URL

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhealeco.2019.03.004

Keyword(s)

Peer Effects

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Journal of Health Economics

Author(s)

Arduini, Tiziano
Iorio, Daniela
Patacchini, Eleonora

Year Published

2019

Edition

March 30, 2019

DOI

10.1016/j.jhealeco.2019.03.004

Reference ID

7345