Working Paper: NBER ID: w9446
Authors: David M. Cutler; Edward L. Glaeser; Jesse M. Shapiro
Abstract: Americans have become considerably more obese over the past 25 years. This increase is primarily the result of consuming more calories. The increase in food consumption is itself the result of technological innovations which made it possible for food to be mass prepared far from the point of consumption, and consumed with lower time costs of preparation and cleaning. Price changes are normally beneficial, but may not be if people have self-control problems. This applies to some population.
Keywords: obesity; caloric intake; food technology; public health
JEL Codes: I1; O3; D1
Edges that are evidenced by causal inference methods are in orange, and the rest are in light blue.
| Cause | Effect |
|---|---|
| Technological innovations (O39) | Increased caloric intake (I19) |
| Increased caloric intake (I19) | Increased obesity rates (I14) |
| Technological innovations (O39) | Increased food consumption (D18) |
| Lower food prices (Q11) | Increased caloric intake (I19) |
| Food policy (Q18) | Lower obesity rates (I14) |
| Technological innovations (O39) | Shift in consumption patterns (F61) |