Overview
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The prevalence of obesity and overweight has increased
dramatically in the United States since the mid-1970s, and nearly
two of three adult Americans are either overweight or obese.
Although high costs--in health, social, and economic terms--are
known to be associated with obesity, how the U.S. population
reached this point is less well understood.
Examining the causes of the increase in obesity and proposed
interventions under an economist's lens may help identify potential
solutions to the obesity crisis. To help address growing public
health concerns about rising obesity rates,
ERS research examines:
- differences in dietary patterns by social, demographic, and
economic factors,
- how economic incentives and behavioral factors influence food
choices and diet quality,
- how food choices affect diet quality and health,
- the association between dietary patterns and obesity, and
- the intended and unintended consequences of obesity
policies.