Conspicuous leisure, time allocation, and obesity Kuznets curves

Abstract

Our growth model explores the complex relationship between income, obesity, and changes in exercise-related behavior. Combining Becker’s theory of time allocation (The Economic Journal 75(299), 493–517, 1965) with Veblen’s theory of conspicuous leisure (The Theory of the Leisure Class, 1st ed. New York: Macmillan, 1899), we determine conditions for dynamic and static obesity Kuznets curves. Considering food consumption and exercise choices, we show that dynamic and static Kuznets curves result from the rising opportunity cost of exercise and peer influence, both increasing with income. Focusing on calorie expenditure, we investigate the rise and slowdown in obesity prevalence in the USA and the correlation between obesity and income per worker. Our numerical simulations indicate that, as the economy grows, exercise choices slow down the rise in obesity prevalence but do not generate a dynamic Kuznets curve in the USA. By contrast, they generate a static Kuznets curve for a population cross section. We discuss policy implications of our findings.