The Economics of Obesity: A Public Policy Perspective

Abstract

While a large segment of this book has been devoted to the medical analysis of the causes and consequences of obesity, this chapter will analyse the subject using the tools of a social scientist. One must recognize, that obesity is a multifaceted disease that affects not only the health of a person but also his or her socioeconomic standing, as well as the productive potential of the wider economy. As such, any serious attempt to treat obesity at the communal level should not only analyse the subject from a purely medical and scientific perspective, but should also give serious consideration to how proper public policy administration can be effectively used to lower obesity rates in society and to encourage a healthier lifestyle. This chapter will focus (1) on the socioeconomic impact of obesity, (2) evaluation of several public policy solutions to tackle obesity in society, (3) and socioeconomic consequences of obesity by analysing its effect on both the individual and the wider economy; As such both a micro and macroeconomic analysis of obesity will be presented. Furthermore, this chapter will evaluate how policymakers can tackle obesity through the interplay of policy incentives, interest groups and economic institutions. The authors ultimately believe that there is no one best solution to tackle obesity. Like any serious public health problem, tackling obesity requires the collective and coordinated efforts of multiple parties that should employ both precise medical solutions as well as the right policy tools.