Body mass index, nutrient intakes, health behaviours and nutrition knowledge: A quantile regression application in Taiwan

Abstract

Objective: To assess various marginal effects of nutrient intakes, health behaviours and nutrition knowledge on the entire distribution of body mass index (BMI) across individuals. Design: Quantitative and distributional study. Setting: Taiwan Methods: This study applies Becker’s (1965) model of health production to construct an individual’s BMI determining function. Quantile regression method is used to analyse the entire distribution of BMI across a nationwide survey sample in Taiwan. Endogeneity associated with choice variables of nutrient intakes, health behaviours and nutrition knowledge in determining BMI is corrected using a two-stage least-squares method. Results: Empirical results indicate that energy, oleic acid and cholesterol increase BMI, while fibre, calcium and sodium reveal a reverse effect. For overweight and obese females, protein lowers BMI. For underweight and slightly to severely obese males, vitamin C reduces BMI. Jogging lowers BMI, but drinking raises non-obese individuals’ BMI. For males whose BMI is in the ideal weight to slightly overweight ranges, nutrition knowledge reduces BMI, but this effect is insignificant for females. Conclusions: Several important conclusions can be drawn. (1) Having a BMI which is too high or too low is a risk factor to health. (2) Quantile regression is a useful empirical method to evaluate crucial factors determining the entire distribution (high, medium and low) of BMI. (3) The econometric problem of endogeneity in regressors has to be considered and corrected when using a quantile regression approach. (4) BMI-relevant health education and policy can be evaluated and derived using quantile regression effects of an individual’s choices of nutrient intakes, health behaviours and nutrition knowledge.