Obesity, sedentary behavior and lifestyle: A lifecycle model of eating and physical activity
Dragone,Davide Feichtinger,Gustav Grass,Dieter Hartl,Richard F. Kort,Peter M. Seidl,Andrea Wrzaczek,Stefan
Dragone,Davide
Feichtinger,Gustav
Grass,Dieter
Hartl,Richard F.
Kort,Peter M.
Seidl,Andrea
Wrzaczek,Stefan
Abstract
We propose a theoretical model to study individual lifestyle choices related to calorie intake and physical activity, depending on personal fitness and body weight. The model builds on the rational eating literature and can generate a variety of behaviors that are consistent with the empirical evidence. In particular, we show that engaging in periods of a sedentary lifestyle can be a rational, utility-maximizing decision-a finding that is not present in the existing literature but is empirically widespread. Additionally, we show the possible existence of multiple equilibria and multiple indifferent lifestyles. The former justifies policy interventions to help individuals exit a self-reinforcing, but unhealthy equilibrium; the latter provides a theoretical basis for remediation plans that compensate for earlier unhealthy behaviors.
Description
Copyright © 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Date
2026-03
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Keywords
Lifestyle, Obesity, Physical exercise, Remedial behavior, Sedentary behavior, Skiba point, SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Citation
Dragone, D, Feichtinger, G, Grass, D, Hartl, R F, Kort, P M, Seidl, A & Wrzaczek, S 2026, 'Obesity, sedentary behavior and lifestyle : A lifecycle model of eating and physical activity', Journal of Health Economics, vol. 106, 103114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhealeco.2026.103114
License
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess