Caught in the Bulimic Trap?: Persistence and State Dependence of Bulimia Among Young Women
利用NHLBI生长与健康研究数据，发现年轻女性贪食症的持续性中，未观测异质性有影响，但三分之二归因于状态依赖，提示早期干预与康复治疗结合的重要性。
Bulimia nervosa (BN) is a growing health concern and its consequences are especially serious given the compulsive nature of the disorder. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying the persistent nature of BN. Using data from the NHLBI Growth and Health Study and instrumental variable techniques, we document that unobserved heterogeneity plays a role in the persistence of BN, but up to two-thirds of it is due to state dependence. Our findings suggest that the timing of policy is crucial: Preventive educational programs should be coupled with more intense (rehabilitation) treatment at the early stages of the BN behaviors.