Work

Why Have Americans Become More Obese?

Year: 2003

Type: article

Abstract: Americans have become considerably more obese over the past 25 years. This increase is primarily the result of consuming more calories. The increase in food consumption is itself the result of technological innovations which made it possible for food to be mass prepared far from the point of consumption, and consumed with lower time costs of preparation and cleaning. Price changes are normally beneficial, but may not be if people have self-control problems. This applies to some, but not most, of the population.

Source: The Journal of Economic Perspectives

DOI: 10.1257/089533003769204371

Authors: David M Cutler, Edward L Glaeser, Jesse M Shapiro

Institutions: National Bureau of Economic Research, Harvard University

Language: English

Topic: Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: Ohio State University