Young Adult Obesity and Household Transfer Income

In the article “Young Adult Obesity and Household Income,” Akee and others determine

the impact of unconditional and permanent increase in the transfer income of a household on the

weight gain and eventual obesity of young adults. Furthermore, the article looks at the way the

initial financial condition of the household influences the impact of increase in income. The

article draws a conclusion that the individuals belonging to low income families – the poorest

households – tend to be impacted most by change in household transfer income. These

individuals are more likely to gain weight and become obese as compared to individuals who

belong to richer families that experience improved income. Furthermore, the article draws a

pertinent conclusion that this effect of improved transfer income is regardless of the initial

condition of the children, i.e. his or her birth rate. In other words, the impact of increase in the

household transfer income is heterogeneous. The observations drawn in the article present

insightful implications for the policymakers who design welfare policies.

Firstly, it is hypothesized that improved household income will improve the

socioeconomic condition of impoverished households; however, the article highlights that an

increase in the household transfer income will also yield unwanted, medium-term effects, such as

the negative impact on the body mass of adolescents and young adults. Secondly, the article

highlights that the negative health repercussions of exposure to poverty in the early ages cannot

be alleviated by means of injection of increased transfer income. Lastly, the article points out

that the mass of young adults is altered significantly and quickly by exogenous increase in

transfer payments as compared to health conditions, for instance, chronic illnesses. Furthermore,

the article points out that there lies a gap in the research: the long-term impact of increased

household transfer income on the mass and overall health of young adults needs to be analyzed.
 References

Akee, R., Simeonova, E., Copeland, W., Angold, A., & Costello, E. J. (2013). Young adult

obesity and household income: Effects of unconditional cash transfers. American Economic

Journal: Applied Economics, 5(2), 1-28.