Exploring the Relationship Between Body Mass Index, Obesity, and Gambling Level Across Different Gambling Types

Abstract

Individuals' body weight, measured in terms of body mass index (BMI), has been linked to various health issues in the literature. Recently, a positive relationship has been found between obesity and the level of problem gambling. In this exploratory study, we investigate the association between BMI, obesity, and gambling frequency across multiple types of leisure gambling. Data collected by the Pew Research Center among 1,473 gamblers was used to tests the links between BMI and gambling frequency for 16 types of leisure gambling activities. After we accounted for the effects of age, educational level, and family income and corrected for multiple comparisons, the results showed that obese participants (BMI X 30) conducted significantly more gambling activities in two types of gambling, namely, playing bingo for money and buying state lottery tickets. Moreover, among female gamblers only, BMI was positively associated with frequency of gambling related to casinos, college basketball, and video poker machines. The findings of this exploratory study allow a better understanding of the potential risk factors of obesity and may be of value to public policy makers.

Does religiosity matter for vice product consumption among Chinese individuals?

“…Second, research shows that non‐believers consume more alcohol compared to the religious group (Baena et al, 2019; Wells, 2010). These two religious impacts are also relevant to gambling consumption (Lam, 2006; Lam & Mok, 2017; Muhamad & Mizerski, 2013; Nonnemaker et al., 2006). However, due to economic transformation, alcohol and gambling consumption continues to grow among the Chinese population (Lee et al., 2018; Yang, 2002).…”

“…When one copes in a self‐control task, it hurts performance in another task because his or her self‐control resources is consumed by the first task, thus reducing the number of resources available for future attempts (Robinson et al., 2010). As such, according to Muraven and Baumeister (2000), running out of control strength for a given decision may result in the looseness of self‐control, leading to obesity (Lam & Mok, 2017) and gambling (Fong et al., 2018).…”

“…Higher religiosity is associated with higher brand loyalty and more conservative purchase decisions (Delener, 1990; Essoo & Dibb, 2004; Tang & Li, 2015). In addition, higher religiosity is related to lower alcohol use (Baena et al, 2019; Bodford & Hussong, 2013; Lam & Mok, 2017), lower gambling frequency and urge (Lam, 2006; Lam & Mok, 2017) and less smoking behaviour (Muhamad & Mizerski, 2013; Nonnemaker et al., 2006). Highly religious people are also less materialistic (Casabayó et al., 2020), less likely to engage in digital piracy (Casidy et al., 2016), and less food‐wasting (Elhoushy & Jang, 2020).…”