The obesity epidemic is an economic issue
The Guardian, November 24, 2016
It is estimated that today’s obesity epidemic costs the global economy about £1.6tn or some 3% of GDP. Obesity affects poor households far more than their richer neighbours – and the cost of eating healthily is a very practical reason why. Consumer choices in the US are being skewed by government actions, such as programmes of agricultural support that favour fast foods over healthy eating. Billions go towards subsidising junk foods, through farm subsidies for producing ingredients such as soya and high-glucose corn syrup.