What Is the Optimal Family Size for a Minimal Likelihood of Obesity?

Abstract

The objective of this study is to predict the optimal number of children in an effort to minimize the projected probability of obesity (BMI ≥ 30) among adult household members. Given that obesity is a prominent risk factor for an extensive series of health problems and higher mortality rates, this research might prove to be important for policymaking and provision of personally and culturally adjusted medicine. This research is based on a panel dataset of up to four measured points in time (2012, 2013, 2014–2015, and 2016), carried out by the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics (ICBS). The proposed empirical model controls the age variable as well as individual-effect generic heterogeneity, gender, immigration status, and religiosity level. Stratification by the latter variable (Orthodox, religious, traditional, secular) indicates that, while for the Orthodox and religious groups, projected likelihood of obesity rises with the number of children, for the secular and traditional groups, projected likelihood of obesity remains stable or drops with the number of children.