Summary
This 2015 economic narrative review synthesises evidence on obesity as a multifactorial economic problem, examining structural determinants (food pricing, income, education, social effects), documented economic consequences (wage penalties, medical costs, employment effects), and the estimated effectiveness of market-based interventions (taxes, subsidies, information, incentives). The review finds that obesity likely results from multiple modest economic factors rather than a single dominant cause, and that individual policy interventions show only modest weight effects, suggesting a portfolio approach is needed.
Regional applicability
The review focuses primarily on United States economic research and policy contexts, though the analytical framework and economic mechanisms examined are broadly applicable to United Kingdom and other high-income food systems. However, direct applicability of effect sizes and policy recommendations would require consideration of differences in food pricing structures, welfare systems, healthcare financing, and obesity prevalence between countries.
Key measures
Obesity prevalence and trends; wage effects of obesity; employment probability; medical care costs; externalities through health insurance; effectiveness of food taxes, menu labelling, and financial incentives on weight change
Outcomes reported
The review examined economic research on obesity measurement, trends, causes (food pricing, assistance programmes, income, education, macroeconomic conditions, peer effects), and consequences (lower wages, reduced employment probability, higher medical costs). It evaluated economic interventions including food taxes, subsidies for physical activity programmes, and financial incentives for weight loss.
Topic tags
Dig deeper with Pulse AI.
Ask about this record, its theme or its relevance to UK farming and policy. Pulse AI uses selected catalogue evidence and cites the sources it draws on.