The Fattening of America: How The Economy Makes Us Fat, If It Matters, and What To Do About It
By Eric A. Finkelstein & Laurie Zuckerman
Published by Wiley, February 08
In a country where the majority of the populace are overweight, it might come as a surprise to hear that not everyone has something to lose (pun intended). Could those hamburgers and broken bathroom scales hide deeper economic factors driving America’s obesity epidemic? Indeed, it might seem a contradiction in terms to say there is anything economical about obesity, but The Fattening of America by Eric A. Finkelstein & Laurie Zuckerman, suggests otherwise.
With the help of his co-author, Dr. Eric Finkelstein who is a nationally acclaimed expert on the subject of economics and obesity examines ‘how the economy makes us fat’. While the author doesn’t discount personal responsibility, he explains how economic incentives encourage the production and consumption of high-caloric foods and are the major factor behind the fattening of America. The book also exposes the multi-billion dollar industry surrounding weight loss, from both ends of the spectrum; companies that encourage obesity and those that provide weight loss products.
With the dramatic rise of obesity in recent years and resulting public interest sparking a national health issue - ‘If it matters’, is no longer the question. Instead, Dr. Finkelstein argues that Americans need to look at new solutions to combat their rather large problem. With the obvious dilemma being ‘what to do about it’, the book implores America to revise its farm subsidies; create incentives for healthy behaviours; discourage the production of high-caloric foods; and look at potentially controversial measures to change behaviours. Whether implemented by business or government, The Fattening of America demands that obesity be confronted to make it cheaper and easier to be thin – not fat.
About The Authors:
Dr. Eric Finkelstein (Research Triangle, NC) is a nationally acclaimed expert on the subject of economics and obesity. He is a health economist with the research organization RTI International in Research Triangle, NC and teaches at Duke University. Dr. Finkelstein's work focuses on the economic causes and consequences of health-related behaviors, with a primary emphasis on obesity. He received national attention for a paper analyzing the medical costs associated with obesity. The paper was a subject of a front-page story in USA Today and was covered in the Economist, Time, the Washington Post, and many other newspapers, radio, and television outlets. Dr. Finkelstein received similar media coverage for another paper in which he identified state-by-state medical costs associated with obesity. He has appeared on CNN, Fox News, and other broadcast and radio outlets. Dr. Finkelstein has published over 20 peer-reviewed articles on the economic and political implications of obesity and frequently speaks to government and industry on the causes and consequences of obesity and strategies for reducing the burden.
Laurie Zuckerman (Chapel Hill, NC) left her corporate PR job in 1999 to make writing her full-time career. She is the co-author of the book Nine Lives: Stories of Women Business Owners Landing on Their Feet. She also contributes columns and feature articles to a number of business journals and lifestyle magazines, and she writes for businesses ranging from Fortune 500s to startups with a focus on healthcare, high tech and business.
ISBN 978-0-470-12466-6; Hardback; £14.99/€20.30
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