The nonlinear effect of body mass index on economic growth, human capital, productivity, and savings: A cross-country study

Year 2024, Volume: 51 Issue: 1, 127 - 144, 28.06.2024

Aysit Tansel , Ceyhan Öztürk , Erkan Erdil

Abstract

We examine the association between wealth and health using economic growth and development indicators and body mass index as the proxy variable for health. Empirically, the economic indicators utilized are gross domestic product per capita, human capital, overall and manufacturing productivities, and savings. We estimate our models using the fixed effect and the generalized method of moments estimators and long difference ordinary least squares and instrumental variable estimations using five-yearly balanced panel data, including 47 countries for 1980–2009. We conclude that body mass index has a nonlinear and nonmonotonic effect on all employed economic growth and development indicators.

Keywords

Health, Economic Development, Growth, Years of Schooling, Productivity, Savings

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