Table 7 Potential channels of the effects of SBP-based hypertension diagnosis.

From: More information, better diet?―regression-discontinuity evidence from hypertension diagnoses in China

 

(1)

(2)

Estimator

Mean [SD]

Non-parametric RD estimates

based on SBP readings

(cutoff: SBP = 140)

Sample

Non-

hypertensive

Diastolic normal

(DBP < 90)

A. Number of meals had in the past three days

8.71

−0.196**

 

[0.94]

(0.092)

Optimal bandwidth

 

16.13

N

14,934

15,769

B. Proportion of meals eaten at home

0.92

0.011

 

[0.19]

(0.019)

Optimal bandwidth

 

14.36

N

14,934

15,737

C. Working (=1, if yes)

0.67

−0.043

 

[0.47]

(0.060)

Optimal bandwidth

 

14.82

N

15,129

15,970

D. Labor intensity (=1, if “High” or “Very high”)

0.44

−0.001

 

[0.50]

(0.070)

Optimal bandwidth

 

13.40

N

14,622

15410

E. Household income (log)

9.86

−0.161

 

[1.46]

(0.141)

Optimal bandwidth

 

16.622

N

16,676

17,564

  1. Notes: Data were drawn from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (1997, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2009, and 2011). Analytical samples are restricted to observations within ±40 mmHg intervals of the respective cutoffs. The actual sample size is determined by the optimal bandwidth chosen by minimizing the mean squared error to produce a lower bias (Calonico et al. 2014). Non-parametric RD estimates using the triangular kernel and the associated optimal bandwidth are reported in column (2). Other categories of labor intensity include “very light,” “light,” and “moderate.” Standard deviations are reported in brackets. Robust standard errors are reported in parentheses, clustered at the community level.
  2. ***p < 0.01; **p < 0.05; *p < 0.1.
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