Can fiscal approaches help to reduce obesity risk?
One approach for reversing the obesity epidemic is to use economic strategies to change the costs and benefits of behaviours related to obesity in an effort to change positively the energy-balance equation. To date, these strategies have taken the following forms: (i) monetary incentives for weight loss or activities that promote weight loss, (ii) increased insurance premiums for people who are obese, and (iii) 'fat' taxes on unhealthy foods in efforts to reduce their consumption. This chapter discusses the economic rationale for each approach and assesses the evidence of effectiveness in both the short and the long run. It concludes with a discussion of future areas of research on the role of economic incentives or disincentives for encouraging sustained weight loss.
