Why Have Americans Become More Obese

Jesse Shapiro, Edward Glaeser and David Cutler

Scholarly Articles from Harvard University Department of Economics

Abstract: Americans have become considerably more obese over the past 25 years. This increase is primarily the result of consuming more calories. The increase in food consumption is itself the result of technological innovations which made it possible for food to be mass prepared far from the point of consumption, and consumed with lower time costs of preparation and cleaning. Price changes are normally beneficial, but may not be if people have self-control problems. This applies to some, but not most, of the population.

Date: 2003
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Published in Journal of Economic Perspectives

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Related works:
Journal Article: Why Have Americans Become More Obese? (2003)
Working Paper: Why Have Americans Become More Obese? (2003)
Working Paper: Why Have Americans Become More Obese? (2003)
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