The significance of overweight and obesity for individual health behaviour: An economic analysis based on the Swedish surveys of living conditions 1980—81,1988—89,and 1996—97

Abstract

Aims: The aim of the study was to examine whether being overweight (25≤BMI<30) or obese (BMI≥30) affect subsequent individual health behaviour, applying the framework of the individual-as-producer-of-health model. Methods: A set of panel data for 3,693 individuals interviewed repeatedly in 1980—81, 1988—89, and 1996—97 was created from the Swedish population-based biannual survey of living conditions. Self-assessed health was chosen as indicator of individual health capital and physical exercise as indicator of individual health investment. Results: (a) Men and women who suffered from obesity invested significantly less in their health in terms of physical exercise and reported significantly lower self-assessed health than the general male and female population, respectively. (b) Men who suffered from overweight invested less in their health and reported significantly lower self-assessed health than the general population, whereas women who were overweight — but not obese — did not differ from the general population. (c) Men and women who went from being obese to being overweight reported self-assessed health levels that did not differ from the general male and female population, respectively, but exercised less than men and women in general. Conclusions: The results imply (a) that the individual weight history must be taken into account in studies of the effect of obesity and overweight on health and health-related behaviour and (b) that men and women differ concerning the impact of obesity and overweight on health and health investments.