and fiber. Similarly, signs on the diabetes variable on use of cigarettes and alcohol are also
negative. However, for many of the behaviors, we find there is no significant correlation between
being diagnosed with diabetes and healthful behaviors. The only statistically significant
differences are that diabetics are estimated to eat less added sugar and to eat fewer servings of
dairy products. Not surprisingly, the diabetes variable in the physical activity and waist size
equations are also statistically insignificant. At most, the diabetes variables hint at the possibility
of some limited behavioral changes in response to being informed about diabetes status. Even
when armed with the knowledge of both how and why to adopt a healthier lifestyle, many
individuals choose not to make significant changes.
The more compelling results are those related to medication. We do find a statistically significant
relationship between diabetes medication and an individual’s behavior. We find that diabetics on
medication consume more added sugar, more total fat, more starchy foods, more dairy products,
and more meat. While the coefficient of medication on fiber intake is positive, it is clear that the
additional fiber intake is not coming from sources health professionals recommend; coefficients
of medication on vegetable and fruit intake are negative, albeit insignificant. The waist size
equation corroborates the intake equations: in the waist size equation, the medication coefficient
is positive and statistically significant.
The estimated coefficients suggest far bigger behavioral changes than what is usually described
as offsetting behavior. Peltzman (2004) concluded that the 1970s mandated safety equipment for
automobiles encouraged more risky driving. The additional deaths of pedestrians, bicyclists, and
motorcyclists completely offset the safety benefits to automobile occupants. In our study, for
18
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