Abstract
This paper investigates whether engaging in regular exercise leads to higher earnings in the labor market. While there has
been a recent surge of interest by economists on the issue of obesity, relatively little attention has been given to the economic
effects of regular physical activity apart from its impact on body composition. I find that engaging in regular exercise yields
a 6 to 10% wage increase. The results also show that while even moderate exercise yields a positive earnings effect, frequent
exercise generates an even larger impact. These findings are fairly robust to a variety of estimation techniques, including
propensity score matching.
been a recent surge of interest by economists on the issue of obesity, relatively little attention has been given to the economic
effects of regular physical activity apart from its impact on body composition. I find that engaging in regular exercise yields
a 6 to 10% wage increase. The results also show that while even moderate exercise yields a positive earnings effect, frequent
exercise generates an even larger impact. These findings are fairly robust to a variety of estimation techniques, including
propensity score matching.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-26
- DOI 10.1007/s12122-011-9129-2
- Authors
- Vasilios D. Kosteas, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Avenue, RT 1707, Cleveland, OH 44115-2214, USA
- Journal Journal of Labor Research
- Online ISSN 1936-4768
- Print ISSN 0195-3613