Abstract
This paper considers the impact of two measures of lifestyle—the consumption of fruit and vegetables and doing exercise—on individual well-being. Since lifestyle is likely to be endogenous, we correct for this by using two dimensions of delayed gratification as instruments. The ability to delay gratification enables individuals to give greater weight to the investment component of lifestyle decisions rather than merely the affective component. Our analysis is based on the UK Understanding Society Data, which covers 40,000 UK households over time. We find that the two delayed gratification instruments are positive and significant in influencing lifestyle. In Stage 2, we find that fruit and vegetable consumption and sports activity increase life satisfaction, though the impacts vary for men and women. These results are robust across income quartiles, region, gender, education and age groups.
Highlights
In this paper, we consider the impact that current trends in lifestyle might have on the life satisfaction of individuals
This paper considered the impact of two measures of lifestyle—the consumption of fruit and vegetables and doing exercise—on individual well-being
First, that the ability to delay gratification is significant in influencing lifestyle and this latter, in turn, has a significant impact on well-being
Summary
We consider the impact that current trends in lifestyle might have on the life satisfaction of individuals. Little attention has been paid to the impact of these changes on individual wellbeing. Should these changes be seen as giving up current pleasures and reducing well-being or as giving us a greater sense of purpose and making us feel more satisfied with our life?. Received wisdom as well as a large literature indicates that lifestyle has a large and very significant impact on the physical health of individuals. We consider the impact of lifestyle on life satisfaction, a longer term, more deliberative measure of well-being
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