When does weight matter most?

► I exploit variation in an individual's weight over time to determine the age when weight has the largest impact on labor market outcomes. ► For white men, being overweight as a young adult only adds an additional penalty on adult wages. ► For white women, the existence of a weight penalty is determined solely by early twenties weight. ► The female early twenties weight penalty cannot be explained by differences in marital characteristics, occupation status, or education.