Influence of Within-Class Age Differences on Adolescents' Eating Behaviors. EdWorkingPaper No. 25-1324
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| Title: | Influence of Within-Class Age Differences on Adolescents' Eating Behaviors. EdWorkingPaper No. 25-1324 |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Luca Fumarco, Sven A. Hartmann, Francesco Principe, Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University |
| Source: | Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. 2025. |
| Availability: | Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. Brown University Box 1985, Providence, RI 02912. Tel: 401-863-7990; Fax: 401-863-1290; e-mail: annenberg@brown.edu; Web site: https://annenberg.brown.edu/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 64 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Reports - Research Numerical/Quantitative Data |
| Descriptors: | Adolescents, Eating Habits, Individual Characteristics, Age Differences, Peer Influence, Gender Differences, Socioeconomic Status, Family Structure, Foreign Countries, Geographic Regions, Cultural Influences |
| Geographic Terms: | Europe |
| Abstract: | This study examines within-class age differences as a novel determinant of adolescents' dietary behaviors, isolating it from confounders such as absolute age, season of birth, and country-specific school entry rules. Using a multi-country dataset of over 600,000 European students, we find that younger students within a class exhibit poorer dietary habits. Since confounders are controlled for, these effects are likely driven by peer influence. The findings are robust across various model specifications, with minimal variation across gender, socio-economic status, and family composition, highlighting the broad relevance of relative age effects on adolescent diet. However, the influence of relative age is significantly attenuated in countries with universal school meal programs. [Support was provided by the NPO "Systemic Risk Institute," the CERGE-EI Foundation Teaching Fellowship Program, and the ERDF/ESF project.] |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | ED678290 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | This study examines within-class age differences as a novel determinant of adolescents' dietary behaviors, isolating it from confounders such as absolute age, season of birth, and country-specific school entry rules. Using a multi-country dataset of over 600,000 European students, we find that younger students within a class exhibit poorer dietary habits. Since confounders are controlled for, these effects are likely driven by peer influence. The findings are robust across various model specifications, with minimal variation across gender, socio-economic status, and family composition, highlighting the broad relevance of relative age effects on adolescent diet. However, the influence of relative age is significantly attenuated in countries with universal school meal programs. [Support was provided by the NPO "Systemic Risk Institute," the CERGE-EI Foundation Teaching Fellowship Program, and the ERDF/ESF project.] |
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