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Author: Leonard, Thomas C.
Resulting in 1 citation.
1. Goldfarb, Robert S.
Leonard, Thomas C.
Markowitz, Sara
Suranovic, Steven
Can a Rational Choice Framework Make Sense of Anorexia Nervosa?
NBER Working Paper 14838, National Bureau of Economic Research, April 2009.
Also: http://www.nber.org/papers/w14838.pdf
Cohort(s): NLSY97
Publisher: National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)
Keyword(s): Behavioral Problems; Body Mass Index (BMI); Cigarette Use (see Smoking); Health Factors; Health, Mental/Psychological; Health/Health Status/SF-12 Scale; Height; Modeling, Fixed Effects; Parental Influences; Parenting Skills/Styles; Risk-Taking; Weight

Can a rational choice modeling framework help broaden our understanding of anorexia nervosa? This question is interesting because anorexia nervosa is a serious health concern, and because of the following issue: could a rational choice approach shed useful light on a condition which appears to involve "choosing" to be ill? We present a model of weight choice and dieting applicable to anorexia nervosa, and the sometimes-associated purging behavior. We also present empirical evidence about factors possibly contributing to anorexia nervosa. We offer this analysis as a consciousness-raising way of thinking about the condition.
Bibliography Citation
Goldfarb, Robert S., Thomas C. Leonard, Sara Markowitz and Steven Suranovic. "Can a Rational Choice Framework Make Sense of Anorexia Nervosa?." NBER Working Paper 14838, National Bureau of Economic Research, April 2009.