On the determinants of obesity: evidence from the UAE

Abstract

This article investigates the possible determinants of being overweight and obese in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), controlling for age and education status. We use a novel dataset constructed from survey responses of university undergraduate students. Using OLS, logistic and ordered logistic regressions, we find that male, affluent and nonnational students face a higher risk of being obese (or overweight). The results also show that cultural and geographical factors interact with some behavioural aspects related to lifestyle in determining weight status. Students originating from other Middle East and North Africa countries exhibit higher body mass index (BMI) and odds of being obese with higher frequency of eating out and more computer use. Unexpectedly, fast food consumption and lack of exercise do not seem to contribute to higher risks of being overweight/obese.

Keywords:

• obesity
• human capital
• natural resources
• MENA
• UAE

JEL Classification:

• I19
• Q01

Notes

¹ See The Abu Dhabi’s 2030 Economic Vision.

² Fast food eating frequency is found to have a positive effect on obesity by Bin Zaal et al. (2009).

³ADD are known to be the richest and the more developed Emirates among the seven United Emirates of the UAE.