The Effects of Farm and Food Policy on Obesity in the United States

Description

This book uses an economic framework to examine the consequences of U.S. farm and food policies for obesity, its social costs, and the implications for government policy. Drawing on evidence from economics, public health, nutrition, and medicine, the authors evaluate past and potential future roles of policies such as farm subsidies, public agricultural R&D, food assistance programs, taxes on particular foods (such as sodas) or nutrients (such as fat), food labeling laws, and advertising controls. The findings are mostly negative—it is generally not economic to use farm and food policies as obesity policy—but some food policies that combine incentives and information have potential to make a worthwhile impact. This book is accessible to advanced undergraduate and graduate students across the sciences and social sciences, as well as to decision-makers in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. Front Matter....Pages i-xxii Introduction....Pages 1-12 Obesity in America....Pages 13-53 Consequences of Obesity....Pages 55-73 Causes of Obesity: Individual Physiology and Consumption Choices....Pages 75-103 Causes of Obesity: External Influences....Pages 105-134 Role for Government: In Principle....Pages 135-157 US Farm Subsidies and Obesity....Pages 159-201 Agricultural R&D, Technology, and Obesity....Pages 203-235 Fat Taxes and Thin Subsidies as Obesity Policy....Pages 237-283 Other Food Policies as Obesity Policy....Pages 285-318 Summary and Synthesis....Pages 319-331 Back Matter....Pages 333-393