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Data and Methodology: Empirical Investigation of the Relationship Among Obesity, Income Inequality, and Poverty

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The Economics of Obesity
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Abstract

Several existing studies on obesity and inequality conclude that health and social problems are more prevalent in countries and states with a higher degree of inequality. On a global scale, several Scandinavian countries and Japan are on the healthiest end of the distribution among many countries. In this chapter, a theoretical model is presented. Using this model, an empirical testing was conducted to determine whether there is a longstanding relationship among the variables of obesity, poverty, and income inequality. Data from 1995 through 2012 on obesity, income inequality, and poverty were used. By use of panel cointegration tests, data were analyzed. The analysis confirmed the existence of a longstanding relationship among obesity, income inequality, and poverty. Thus improving health depends upon transforming economic conditions. These issues need to be addressed through a concerted program of environmental and policy interventions.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The description of the variables is given in Table 7.A1 in the Appendix at the end of this chapter.

  2. 2.

    See Pedroni [15, 21, 22]

  3. 3.

    Pesaran [18] statistic is 96.016 (0.000) and [24] statistic is 7.808 (0.000). Figures in parentheses are p-values.

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Correspondence to Tahereh Alavi Hojjat .

Appendix

Appendix

Table 7.A1 Description of the variables

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Hojjat, T.A. (2021). Data and Methodology: Empirical Investigation of the Relationship Among Obesity, Income Inequality, and Poverty. In: The Economics of Obesity. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-78487-4_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-78487-4_7

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