How do peers influence BMI? Evidence from randomly assigned classrooms in South Korea

摘要

Abstract Obesity among children is an important public health concern, and social networks may play a role in students' habits that increase the likelihood of being overweight. We examine data from South Korean middle schools, where students are randomly assigned to classrooms, and exploit the variation in peer body mass index. We use the number of peers' siblings as an instrument to account for endogeneity concerns and measurement error. Heavier peers increase the likelihood that a student is heavier; there is no spurious correlation for height, which is unlikely to have peer contagion. Public policy that targets obesity can have spillovers through social networks. Highlights ? Childhood obesity is a serious public health concern. ? Social networks may play a role. ? Estimating peer effects is difficult due to non-random selection of peers. ? We use random assignment of students to classrooms in Korea. ? Heavier peers increase the likelihood that a student is heavier.