The Impact of the Broadband China Strategy on BMI among Older Adults: Quasi-Experimental Evidence from China

Using the data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), this paper applies the difference-in-differences (DID) method to examine the effect of the "Broadband China" strategy on the Body Mass Index (BMI) of middle-aged and older people. Based on the above study, the policy has increased the proportion of people with a normal BMI by about 1.88%. After controlling for the above variables, the result is still valid: registered residence type, age, gender, education level, marital status and income. Based on the above mechanism analysis, widespread Internet access will increase people's willingness to exercise regularly by around 1.37 per cent, and this may be due to more accessible health information, increased health awareness, or improved socialization opportunities. The results of the heterogeneity analysis show that the health improvement effect of this policy is relatively strong for rural residents, groups with lower levels of education, and adults over the age of 60; thus, digital infrastructure may play a supporting role in poverty alleviation and health equality. Digital infrastructure is also economically beneficial and has a positive impact on public health, so policies will be introduced to promote the healthy ageing of the population.