Weight Gains from Trade in Foods: Evidence from Mexico

Arbeitspapier

In this paper, we investigate the effects of trade in foods on obesity in Mexico. To do so, we match data on Mexican food imports from the U.S. with anthropometric and food expenditure data. Our findings suggest that exposure to food imports from the U.S. can explain up to twenty percent of the rise in obesity prevalence among Mexican women between 1988 and 2012. Pro-obesity effects are driven by areas more exposed to unhealthy food imports. We also find evidence in favour of a price mechanism. By linking trade flows to obesity, the paper sheds light on an important channel through which globalisation may affect health.

Object Details

• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Series: IZA Discussion Papers ; No. 12677

Classification and Topics

• Classification: Wirtschaft ; Economic Impacts of Globalization: General ; Economic Impacts of Globalization: Microeconomic Impacts ; Health: General ; Health Behavior
• Subject: trade ; obesity ; nutrition transition ; Mexico

Contributors, Places and Time

• Event: Geistige Schöpfung
• (who): Giuntella, Osea ; Rieger, Matthias ; Rotunno, Lorenzo
• Event: Veröffentlichung
• (who): Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
• (where): Bonn
• (when): 2019

Further information

• Handle: http://hdl.handle.net/10419/207501
• Last update: 10.03.2025, 11:43 AM CET