Economics of Physical Activity: Determinants and Mechanisms

Findings from kinesiology, medicine, and epidemiology have established the benefits of a physically active lifestyle. However, adolescents and adults in the United States are not sufficiently active. There are significant disparities observed in the prevalence of adolescent and adult physical activity by demographic and socioeconomic characteristics that are persistent over time. My research aims to propose a model of physical activity behavior that is capable of explaining the patterns and trends observed in physical activity levels of U.S. adolescents and adults. Studies in kinesiology and genetics indicate that physical activity is an outcome that starts from a biological foundation, changes in response to past levels of physical activity behavior, and then grows (declines) as a result of physiological feedback mechanisms. Psychology literature emphasizes cognitive and behavioral (i.e., noncognitive skills or personality traits) factors as important influences on physical activity. Specifically, physical activity is a complex behavior dependent on cognition and personality that make up psychic costs of physical activity. These biological and psychological processes underlying physical activity call for a dynamic modeling in which the past is an important determinant of the current level of physical activity. Human capital formation literature in Economics can accommodate these aspects of the behavior. Among alternative models of human capital formation, I propose to use a model of physical activity that is dynamic and is a modified version of the model described by Cunha and Heckman. Accordingly, the model I propose entails a physical activity production technology, the most important features of which are dynamic complementarities in early and late investments and self-productivities and cross-productivities in skill formation. Empirically, I examine whether there is evidence for the presence of the features of this technology that may yield dynamism in the formation of physical activity and inactivity behaviors during adolescence. To my knowledge, this research is the first attempt to treat various aspects of the physical activity behavior in a unified manner under theoretical guidance and to offer a dynamic model of physical activity in Economics that is potentially capable of explaining observations in adolescent and adult physical activity levels in the United States

Availability of Healthier Food Options in Fast Food Restaurants by Community Racial/Ethnic and Socioeconomic Composition in a National Sample

This research brief reports findings from a study that uses a nationwide dataset of fast-food restaurants from 2010-2012 to examine associations between the availability of healthier food options in both chain and non-chain fast-food restaurants and community racial/ethnic and socioeconomic composition

Added-sugar Intake from Sugar-sweetened Beverages among Adults in St. Louis City and County, MO

This research brief presents information on the estimated number of teaspoons of daily added-sugar intake from sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and the contribution of added-sugar intake from SSBs as a percentage of total added-sugar intake among adults aged 18-64 living in St. Louis City & County, MO in 201

Sugar-sweetened Beverage Consumption among Adults in St. Louis City and County, MO, 2017

This research brief presents information on the frequency of SSB consumption among adults aged 18-64 living in St. Louis City & County, MO, in 2017, including by SSB type for soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, and tea/coffee

Intake of Sugar-sweetened Beverages among Adults in Seattle, WA, 2017

This research brief presents information on the estimated number of teaspoons (tsp) of daily added-sugar intake from SSBs, added-sugar intake from SSBs as a percentage of daily total added-sugar intake from all sources including SSBs, and the frequency of SSB consumption among adults aged 18-64 living in Seattle, WA, in 2017

Sugar-sweetened Beverage Consumption among Adults, Cook County IL, 2017

This research brief presents information on the frequency of SSB consumption among adults aged 18-64 living in Cook County, Illinois in 2017, including by SSB type for soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, and tea/coffee

Added-sugar Intake from Sugar-sweetened Beverages among Adults in Cook County, Illinois, 2017

This research brief presents information on the estimated number of teaspoons of daily added-sugar intake from sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and the contribution of added-sugar intake from SSBs as a percentage of total added-sugar intake among adults aged 18-64 living in Cook County, Illinois in 2017

Experiences With Kidney Transplant Among Undocumented Immigrants in Illinois: A Qualitative StudyPlain-Language Summary

Rationale & Objective: Noncitizen, undocumented patients with kidney failure have few treatment options in many states, although Illinois allows for patients to receive a transplant regardless of citizenship status. Little information exists about the experiences of noncitizen patients pursuing kidney transplantation. We sought to understand how access to kidney transplantation affects patients, their family, health care providers, and the health care system. Study Design: A qualitative study with virtually conducted semistructured interviews. Setting & Participants: Participants were transplant and immigration stakeholders (physicians, transplant center and community outreach professionals), and patients who have received assistance through the Illinois Transplant Fund (listed for or received transplant; patients could complete the interview with a family member). Analytical Approach: Interview transcripts were coded using open coding and were analyzed using thematic analysis methods with an inductive approach. Results: We interviewed 36 participants: 13 stakeholders (5 physicians, 4 community outreach stakeholders, and 4 transplant center professionals), 16 patients, and 7 partners. The following seven themes were identified: (1) devastation from kidney failure diagnosis, (2) resource needs for care, (3) communication barriers to care, (4) importance of culturally competent health care providers, (5) negative impacts of policy gaps, (6) new chance at life after transplant, and (7) recommendations for improving care. Limitations: The patients we interviewed were not representative of noncitizen patients with kidney failure overall or in other states. The stakeholders were also not representative of health care providers because they were generally well informed on kidney failure and immigration issues. Conclusions: Although patients in Illinois can access kidney transplants regardless of citizenship status, access barriers, and health care policy gaps continue to negatively affect patients, families, health care professionals, and the health care system. Necessary changes for promoting equitable care include comprehensive policies to increase access, diversifying the health care workforce, and improving communication with patients. These solutions would benefit patients with kidney failure regardless of citizenship