Main description:

Much has been written about the economic causes of obesity, but this book offers a comprehensive and deep investigation of the causes and treatment of these issues in a single volume. In the second edition, the author expands upon the serious threat that obesity poses not only to our health, but also to our society. Obesity costs billions of dollars a year in lost productivity and medical expenses.
The social distribution of obesity has changed over time. Obesity rates in the United States continue to worsen in parallel with income inequality. Socioeconomic groups with low personal capital, levels of education, and income have higher obesity rates. In fact, the rate of obesity has increased the fastest among low-income Americans. The disproportionate burden of obesity on the poor poses an economic challenge and an ethical imperative. The link between obesity, inactivity, and poverty may be too costly to ignore because obesity-associated chronic disease already accounts for 70% of US healthcare costs. Although economic and technological changes in the environment drove the obesity epidemic, the evidence for effective economic policies to prevent obesity remains limited.
The new edition brings together a multitude of topics on obesity previously not discussed with a particular emphasis on the influence of poverty and income inequality on obesity including:

Economic Analysis: Behavioral Patterns, Diet Choice, and the Role of Government

Income and Wealth Inequality and Obesity

Social Mobility and Health

Food Policies, Government Interventions, and Reducing Poverty

The Economics of Obesity is an essential text for readers interested in learning about the causes and consequences of obesity within a social context including students, academicians, and practitioners in public health, medicine, social sciences, and health economics, both in and outside of the United States. US and international policy-makers also will find the book a salient read in addressing the issues that contribute to the cycle of poverty, income inequality, and obesity.

Contents:

1. Introduction: There is growing evidence that obesity is largely an economic issue. Fundamental causes and consequences of obesity are very complex, as genes, eating habits, where people live, emotions, lifestyle, income, education, and a variety of other factors are explored. History and phases of the obesity epidemic and the measurement of obesity also are discussed.
2. Different perspectives on causes and consequences of obesity: Some argue that obesity is genetically determined in general. Others see the roots of the obesity problem in the powerful social and cultural forces that promote an energy-rich diet and a sedentary lifestyle -- and such an environment has only intensified over the past 30 years.
3. Economic analysis of behavioral pattern and diet choice: Obesity is the result of individual decisions of poor dietary choices and life-behavioral patterns. These, in turn, are affected by supply-and-demand factors, which include individual income, price of food, access to supermarkets, safety of neighborhoods, technology, advertising, and many more factors. Obesity doesn't just impact individuals' pocketbooks; it also affects national budget deficits as obesity increases federal entitlement spending for medical costs through Medicare, Medicaid, and supplemental security income, while the resulting decrease in worker productivity reduces tax revenues.
4. Socioeconomic factors affecting obesity: Materialist theory explains health as influenced by material conditions in life. Neo-material theory expands upon these material explanations by describing the origin of poverty and income inequality that leads to poor health. The quality of relationships deteriorates in less-equal society, which causes more stress and anxiety that can lead to poor health and other negative outcomes. The author highlights the important role stress may play in linking disadvantage to obesity, particularly for women. The author explains how understanding the complex mechanisms and processes that link social inequality to obesity requires multidisciplinary and multilevel frameworks. The stark divide in black-and-white economic mobility and its role on health also is emphasized in this chapter.
5. Empirical investigation of the relationship among obesity, poverty, and income inequality: Data on poverty, income inequality (measured by Gini coefficient), and obesity are tested for the United States.
6. Social mobility and obesity: Intergenerational social mobility is discussed and measured using income, wealth, health, and education in both relative and absolute terms.

7. Obesity and socioeconomic status in Peru: A case study of government policy: Data from 2008-2017 (240 data sets) examine obesity in Peru, government policy, and success/failure of such policy to reduce the rate of obesity in Peru.
8. Food policy interventions: Government, international partners, civil society, private sector, and non-governmental organizations have vital roles to play in shaping healthy environments and making healthier dietary options more affordable and accessible to all people. The implementation of food policy interventions requires sustained political commitment and collaboration among many stakeholders in both the public and private sectors.
9. Concluding remarks: The obesity epidemic affects every region of the country and every demographic group. Weight-related complications like fatty liver, orthopedic problems, sleep apnea, and type 2 diabetes adversely affect human well-being and also society as a whole. The economic burden of obesity affects low-income and otherwise disadvantaged populations the hardest, exacerbating income inequality. Obesity not only affects individuals but also the government in terms of lower tax revenues and more discretionary spending. Blaming individuals and expecting them to take personal responsibility are not effective solutions for the obesity epidemic. Obesity is an issue that requires the passage of policy changes that encourage healthy diets.