The fattening of America : how the economy makes us fat, if it matters, and what to do about it / Eric A. Finkelstein, Laurie Zuckerman.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Eric Finkelstein is a renowned health economist who has spent much of his career studying the economics of obesity. Now, with the help of coauthor Laurie Zuckerman, he skillfully reveals the economic drivers behind America's growing obesity epidemic, its impact on society, and what can be done to get the epidemic under control. The Fattening of America brings a complex topic to a broad general audience with engaging examples that are relatable to economists and non-economists alike. Declining food costs and sedentary lifestyles contribute to rising obesity rates, damaging America's economy. It's making our businesses less competitive, pushing good jobs overseas, hurting our military readiness, increasing our taxes, and bankrupting the Medicare and Medicaid programs. In addition, the obesity epidemic has created a tremendous demand for all sorts of new products and services, creating a flourishing new market that the authors have termed "The ObesEconomy." The Fattening of America outlines the issues we must address in order to confront obesity and provides sensible strategies for reducing this burden. It explains how successful obesity prevention strategies, whether driven by business or government, can create an economy that helps America slim down and save money. "www.powells.com".