Economics
Modern economic conditions are central to understanding human diets and the genesis of the obesity problem. According to some economists, obesity is an understandable consequence of economic development. Many aspects of economic development contribute to changed diets and physical activity. For example:
- The price of food as a function of income has decreased dramatically in countries like the United States, but has done so disproportionately for highly processed, calorie-dense foods. The relative price of soft drinks, for instance, has increased much less in the past three decades than the price of fruits and vegetables.
- Hectic lifestyles, more women in the workforce, and less free time are factors that make cooking family meals less common and eating out more likely. People consume more calories when eating outside the home than when having home-cooked meals.
- Advances in technology make physical labor less necessary for almost all tasks in both daily life and work, which significantly drives down energy expenditure. Decades back, when the average job required physical labor, people were essentially paid to exercise. Today, many individuals must use their leisure time (itself shrinking and competing with family time, relaxation, additional work, or other pursuits) ) for physical activity.
Economic factors affect both what people consume and the energy they expend. In addition to price incentives driving people toward unhealthy foods, rising calorie intake is ascribed to factors such as increased consumption of soft drinks, snacking between meals, eating away from home, more food marketing, and increased eating produced by growing portion sizes.