Economic causes and consequences of obesity.
Journal Article (Review;Journal Article)
Obesity is not only a health but also an economic phenomenon. This chapter (a) examines underlying economic causes, such as technological advancements, behind the obesity epidemic; (b) describes economic consequences of obesity, including increasing obesity-related medical expenditures; and (c) discusses the role of government in combating the obesity epidemic. Because of the high costs of obesity, and the fact that the majority of these costs are financed by taxpayers, there is a clear motivation for government to try to reduce these costs. However, because obesity may result from poor information and addictive behavior and/or as a result of living in an increasingly obesogenic environment, interventions will need to be multifaceted to ensure the best chance of success.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Finkelstein, EA; Ruhm, CJ; Kosa, KM
Published Date
- January 2005
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 26 /
Start / End Page
- 239 - 257
PubMed ID
- 15760288
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1545-2093
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0163-7525
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1146/annurev.publhealth.26.021304.144628
Language
- eng