I came across an article yesterday about some recent findings on the ‘weight vs. wealth’ topic that seems to be generating a lot of interest in the States lately! The article by Stephanie Thomas outlines the controversial findings which I found quite interesting and thought I’d share!
A recent study by Timothy Judge and Daniel Cable suggests there is a relationship between gender, obesity, and earnings. They measured the weight of more than 12,000 Americans at 15 points over a 25 year period. They also collected demographic, behavioural, and job information:
• gender, height, age, and race;
• educational attainment;
• childhood socioeconomic status;
• smoking and drinking behaviour;
• marital status, spouse’s earnings, the presence of children and maternity leave;
• hours worked, job tenure, public or private sector job, and job complexity;
• perceived health problems and self-esteem.
Judge and Cable found an interesting pattern when they studied this data: after controlling for demographic and job characteristics, there is a statistically significant relationship between weight and earnings. This relationship shows a gender double-standard. Heavier men tend to earn more than lighter men, but heavier women tend to earn less than lighter women.
The relationship between earnings and weight changes is even more surprising. Weight gain in men leads to increases in pay. Men are rewarded for gaining weight up to the point of obesity. In contrast, weight gain in women leads to decreases in pay. Women are penalized for gaining weight. The “pay penalty” is harshest for very thin women.
Simply put, as men gain weight their earnings tend to increase, and when they lose weight, their earnings tend to decrease. The opposite is true for women. Women's earnings decrease when they gain weight, and when they lose weight, their earnings tend to increase. But the magnitude of earnings changes for men and women are quite different, as shown in the chart below.
• gender, height, age, and race;
• educational attainment;
• childhood socioeconomic status;
• smoking and drinking behaviour;
• marital status, spouse’s earnings, the presence of children and maternity leave;
• hours worked, job tenure, public or private sector job, and job complexity;
• perceived health problems and self-esteem.
Judge and Cable found an interesting pattern when they studied this data: after controlling for demographic and job characteristics, there is a statistically significant relationship between weight and earnings. This relationship shows a gender double-standard. Heavier men tend to earn more than lighter men, but heavier women tend to earn less than lighter women.
The relationship between earnings and weight changes is even more surprising. Weight gain in men leads to increases in pay. Men are rewarded for gaining weight up to the point of obesity. In contrast, weight gain in women leads to decreases in pay. Women are penalized for gaining weight. The “pay penalty” is harshest for very thin women.
Simply put, as men gain weight their earnings tend to increase, and when they lose weight, their earnings tend to decrease. The opposite is true for women. Women's earnings decrease when they gain weight, and when they lose weight, their earnings tend to increase. But the magnitude of earnings changes for men and women are quite different, as shown in the chart below.
So what can we take from this study? Should the blokes begin to hit the burgers, and the ladies jump on a treadmill??
My opinion on the matter is that it’s laughable! A typical case of correlation rather than cause!
Ones drive, desire, hard work and ethics are what separate those who are successful from those who struggle. Weather they are tall, short, fat or skinny is entirely unrelated!
Studies like these are always good for a laugh though!
