Publication Date

2008

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Slotsve, George A.

Degree Name

Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy)

Legacy Department

Department of Economics

LCSH

Obesity in children; Children of working mothers; Working mothers

Abstract

Child obesity rates have increased drastically over the last several decades. Although this trend is of great concern, little research has been done to determine what factors may be influencing this increase. One of the potential explanations is the increased labor force participation rates of mothers. Because mothers are still considered the primary caregivers for children, the increased labor force participation rates have reduced the amount of time the mother has to spend in traditional child-rearing activities. This may cause overweight and obesity rates to increase in her children because she is not as available to monitor the food and exercise choices. The Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (ECLS-K) dataset was used to examine the impact of maternal employment on the overweight and obesity rates of children. The data contain information for the same children during their kindergarten, third grade, and fifth grade school years. Examination of the headcount ratios, a weight gap index, and a squared weight gap index indicate significant obesity rates for each of the years, as well as significant increases across years. Results of panel probit models indicate that maternal employment increases child obesity rates for males and the middle income quartile if the mothers work part-time. A selection model was then used to examine the seventy of obesity. These results indicate maternal employment does not have a significant impact on the probability that a child is overweight or obese.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (pages [112]-118).

Extent

xv, 234 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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