Childhood obesity and unhappiness: The influence of soft drinks and fast food consumption
Journal
Journal of Happiness Studies
Journal Volume
11
Journal Issue
3
Pages
261-275
Date Issued
2010
Author(s)
Nayga Jr., Rodolfo M.
Abstract
A growing body of literature has examined the determinants of childhood obesity, but little is known about children's subjective wellbeing. To fulfill this gap, this paper examines the effects of fast food and soft drink consumption on children's overweight and unhappiness. Using a nationwide survey data in Taiwan and estimating a simultaneous mixed equation system, our results generally suggest a tradeoff in policy implication. Fast food and soft drink consumption tend to be positively associated with children's increased risk of being overweight but they are also negatively associated with their degree of unhappiness. Current and future policy/program interventions that aim to decrease fast food and soft drinks consumption of children to reduce childhood obesity may be more effective if these interventions also focus on ways that could compensate the increase in degree of unhappiness among children. ? 2009 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
Subjects
Childhood obesity; Fast food; Soft drink; Taiwan; Unhappiness
Type
journal article