
Abstract
We hypothesize that recent trends in U.S. and worldwide obesity are, in part, related to an increase in the marginal rate of time preference, where time preference refers to the rate at which people are willing to trade current benefit for future benefit. The higher the rate of time preference, the larger is the factor by which individuals discount the future health risks associated with current consumption. Data from the United States, as well as international evidence, suggests that a relationship between these two variables is plausible. We encourage researchers to explore the possible link between obesity and time preference, as important insights are likely to result.
Item Type: | Paper |
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Keywords: | time preference, obesity |
Faculties: | Economics Economics > Munich Discussion Papers in Economics Economics > Munich Discussion Papers in Economics > Economic History Economics > Chairs > Chair of Economic History |
Subjects: | 300 Social sciences > 300 Social sciences, sociology and anthropology 300 Social sciences > 330 Economics |
JEL Classification: | I12 |
URN: | urn:nbn:de:bvb:19-epub-60-9 |
Language: | English |
Item ID: | 60 |
Date Deposited: | 13. Apr 2005 |
Last Modified: | 05. Nov 2020, 14:13 |