ANALYZING CROSS-COUNTRY DIFFERENCES IN OBESITY RATES: SOME POLICY IMPLICATIONS

Obesity is a growing concern for both developed and developing countries. The aim of this paper is to provide an empirical analysis of cross-country differences in obesity rates in OECD countries. In particular, we study the effects of different urbanization processes, dietary habits, labor market changes, as well as other public policies undertaken by each country in order to reduce the incidence of obesity. Our results conclude that changes in dietary habits, which include the daily intake of more calories, are playing a positive and statistically significant role on the growth of obesity rates. Additionally, educational policies have a negative and statistical effect on increasing obesity rates. Further, the process of urbanization seems to be a major force contributing to the growth of obesity rates, while female labor participation is not increasing the incidence of obesity across OECD countries