This paper studies
whether muscle strength affects the labor market outcomes and whether any
gender difference presents in the effect. Based on the data from the National
Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2013 to 2014, this paper
employs regression analysis methods to estimate how various body composition
indicators are related to income and employment. Unlike previous studies that
mainly relied on Body Mass Index (BMI) as a weight indicator, this paper
introduces functional strength indicators such as muscle mass and grip strength
to measure physical ability more comprehensively. The research results show
that there is no significant correlation between traditional weight indicators
and income and employment, while there is a relatively stable positive
correlation between grip strength and the labor market outcomes. Meanwhile, the
analysis found that the correlation was more significant among males, while the
results among females were relatively weak.
