Obesity and salary: an analysis for the Brazilian labor market

Abstract

A survey of obesity in the differentials according to work by gender is investigated. Anthropometric and socioeconomic data were obtained from National Health Survey 2013. Two identification strategies were adopted. The first, use continuous BMI and Quantile Regression. The second dummies for BMI according to degrees of obesity and treatment effect. For women, obesity is punished in terms of lower wages, while men receive additional income. Physical appearance is the factor that drives results. Overweight for men is an asset, while women are penalized for not meeting socially desirable standards of beauty.