Obesity Explained
Since 1960, American adults have, on average, gained 28 pounds. That’s the equivalent of a small child. In his new book, Heavy: The Surprising Reasons America Is the Land of the Free — and the Home of the Fat, Richard McKenzie details what he believes are the economic causes of this increase:
- The growth in world trade freedom
- The downfall of communism
- The spread of free-market economics
- The rise of women’s liberation
- The long-term fall in real minimum wage
- The rise of competitive markets on a global scale
The rise of women’s lib? McKenzie claims this is because more women today work outside the home (60%, up from 33% in 1950), leaving them little time to prepare healthier meals for their families:
Instead of the chicken stewed all day on the stovetop, the family understandably opts more and more frequently for prepackaged frozen chicken fingers or chicken dinner at the nearby restaurant. Time and money may be saved, but not calories, as processed and prepackaged foods as well as restaurant menus tend to be more calories-rich than home-produced meals without processed ingredients.
In general, anything that increases economic well-being, according to McKenzie, makes us fat. While the standard of living increased over the past several decades, the price of food relative to other goods has fallen about 17%. Research has shown that for every 1% drop in the price of food, people increase food consumption by .6%. Food may become cheaper and more readily available, but our 20,000-year-old metabolisms don’t adjust for the added intake of calories.
McKenzie summarizes his theory in a short video here.
Interesting. I’ll have to get the book.
I stand by my contention that microwaves are to blame. Instant hot meals, desserts, snacks on a whim. In 1960, you had to decide if you were really hungry enough to go to all the trouble to fix something to eat. No longer.
Women’s Lib causes obesity?
Can economics really explain obesity? That’s hard to believe. Guess I’ll have to read the book.
Very insightful point, Marvin.
I agree with Marvin.
There is a similar, although inverse, relationship between easy ATM withdrawals and the size of my bank account.
The book is full of interesting anecdotes and economic explanations to the multitude of things that have added to America’s weight gain. Economic progress is the reason. As a society we’ve gotten good at manufacturing and preparing food. The old days where the process of gathering enough food to sustain life took all day are long gone. Now it is possible to purchase a day’s worth of calories for less than $5 at Taco Bueno. At a grocery store, you could probably purchase an entire day’s worth of calories for $1 or $2 if you were not picky about what you ate. At that rate, the poorest individuals can arguable buy two or three dozen times their daily caloric needs with a day’s pay.
I can see, if it was to do with eating like a pig does, but if it’s nothing to do with that situation, & they don’t eat much at all & still overweight!!! Also, have other medical issues, that limit them from doing the exercises, they use to be able to do!!! Then, I can see them doing other options, while being disabled!!! I also agree with Devon!!! If the Government want to help us all out, why don’t y’all start going after the people, that prepare the foods for the grocery stores, & quit making the ones, that are Obesity feel like it’s their fault for being over-weight!!! Some of us try to eat the right foods, & still either stay the same weight or gain!!! It’s not right to bring someone down, all because you think, it’s your way or the highway!!!
Hope you do the right thing!!!
God Bless!!!