The fattening of America : how the economy makes us fat, if it matters, and what to do about it

Resource Information

The work The fattening of America : how the economy makes us fat, if it matters, and what to do about it represents a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in Waubonsee Community College. This resource is a combination of several types including: Work, Language Material, Books.

Label

The fattening of America : how the economy makes us fat, if it matters, and what to do about it

Title remainder

how the economy makes us fat, if it matters, and what to do about it

Statement of responsibility

Eric A. Finkelstein, Laurie Zuckerman

Creator

• Finkelstein, Eric

Contributor

• Zuckerman, Laurie, 1972-

Subject

• Feeding Behavior -- psychology
• Obesity
• Obesity -- Economic aspects -- United States
• Obesity -- Economic aspects -- United States
• Obesity -- economics
• Obesity -- prevention & control
• Popular Works
• Risk Factors
• Socioeconomic Factors
• USA
• United States
• Wirtschaftliche Lage
• Übergewicht
• Diet -- economics

Genre

• Popular Works

Language

eng

Summary

"What's behind the sudden, explosive rise in obesity rates? In a word, it's economics. Author Eric Finkelstein, a renowned health economist who has spent much of his career studying the economics of obesity, with the help of coauthor Laurie Zuckerman, reveals why America's growing waistline is a by-product of our economic and technological success. Because of declining food costs, especially for high-calorie, low-nutrient foods, and increasing usage of technology, which make Americans more sedentary, the environment has changed in such a way that we're eating more calories and burning off less." "Finkelstein and Zuckerman blend theory, research, and engaging - sometimes hilarious - personal anecdotes to break down the causes and the consequences of America's obesity epidemic. One by one, they explore the media's claim that obesity is making our businesses less competitive, pushing good jobs overseas, hurting our military readiness, increasing our taxes, and helping to bankrupt the Medicare and Medicaid Programs. Along the way, the authors also reveal how the obesity epidemic has spurred tremendous demand for all sorts of new products and services, creating a flourishing new market that they call "The ObesEconomy."" "The Fattening of America outlines the issues we must deal with to confront obesity. The authors explore the role that businesses and policymakers play in America's obesity epidemic, and explain that successful obesity prevention strategies need to do exactly the opposite of where the economy is taking us. They need to make it cheaper and easier to be thin - not fat. However, because obesity is a natural by-product of an expanding economy, the authors question whether or not obesity prevention efforts, even if successful, would actually leave some individuals worse off."--Jacket

Cataloging source

DLC

Dewey number

362.196/39800973

Illustrations

illustrations

Index

index present

LC call number

RA645.O23

LC item number

F56 2008

Literary form

non fiction

Nature of contents

bibliography

NLM call number

• 2008 B-904
• WD 212

NLM item number

F499f 2008