title: The effect of fast-food restaurants on childhood obesity: a school level analysis.
abstract: We analyze, using an instrumental variable approach, the effect of the number of fast-food restaurants on school level obesity rates in Arkansas. Using distance to the nearest major highway as an instrument, our results suggest that exposure to fast-food restaurants can impact weight outcomes. Specifically, we find that the number of fast-food restaurants within a mile from the school can significantly affect school level obesity rates.
authors.affiliation: University of the Philippines Mindanao, Philippines; University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States. Electronic address: palviola@uark.edu.
authors.forename: Pedro A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Alviola
authors.affiliation: University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States; Norwegian Agricultural Economics Research Institute, Norway; Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Rodolfo M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Nayga
authors.affiliation: University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States.
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Thomsen
authors.affiliation: University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Danforth
authors.affiliation: University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Smartt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001131:Arkansas / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D057140:Fast Foods / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000600:supply & distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012147:Restaurants / Q000145:classification* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012574:Schools
keywords: Childhood obesity; Fast-food restaurants; I10; I18; Instrumental variables; Schools