The effect of higher education on Women's obesity and smoking: Evidence from college openings in Turkey

We analyze the effect of higher education on obesity and smoking behavior among women by exploiting the largely exogenous and substantial increase in university openings between 1983 and 2002 throughout Turkey. Using women's province of residence when they make their college decision, we constructed two college accessibility measures to serve as instruments for years of schooling. Growing up in a province with a college increases attained years of schooling by about 0.8 years, and university enrollment by 5 percentage-points (80%). We find that one additional year of schooling reduces obesity by 4 percentage points and increases the probability of smoking by 5–6 percentage points. The contrasting effects of schooling attainment on obesity and smoking behavior suggest that, in a developing country setting, higher education affects health thorough changing the socio-economic environment and health inputs of women.