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The fattening of America: how the economy makes us fat, if it matters, and what to do about it
Author
Publisher
Wiley
Publication Date
c2008
Language
English
Description
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Table of Contents
From the Book
Introduction: Answering the Age-Old Question: Why Is Uncle Al So Fat?
Chapter 1. Craze or Crisis?
So Why Now?
My Soccer Team Eats Oranges
So How about Adults? Are We Gaining, Too?
A Growing Waistline Can Be Bad for Your Health
But Are We the Only Ones Gaining Weight?
The Longer You Stay, the Bigger You Get
Chapter 2. I'll Take a Deep-Fried Coca-Cola
First Things First
Cheap Food Gets Cheaper
The Rise of French-Fried Potatoes
Please Pass the High-Fructose Corn Syrup
A Full Pound of Sausage, Bacon, and Ham: Have a Meaty Morning
Too Much of a Good Thing
Kids Are Also Drinking the Kool-Aid
When Is Enough Enough?
Chapter 3. Why We're Moving Less: (Hint: It's Not Just the La-Z-Boy)
But I Don't Have Time!
Not Quite the Jetsons, But...
Just Be a Marathon Runner
We're Not Farmers Anymore
Sprawling Out
Our Kids Are Also Slowing Down
Wrapping It Up
Chapter 4. So Where Else Can We Lay the Blame?
Blame Mom and Dad
The Just Blame Mom (You Know You Will Anyway)
Blame the Meds
Blame the Cigs (One More Theory Goes Up in Smoke)
Blame the All-Nighter
Blame the Air Conditioner (Not Cool)
Blame Pollution (It's a Dirty Business)
Blame That Nasty "Fat Bug"
It's the Economy, Stupid
Chapter 5. Beware: Moral Hazard
Just Bill My Health Insurance
Is Obesity as Bad as It Used to Be?
Just Take a Pill or Get a Procedure
Chapter 6. So We're Fat - Who Cares?
Is Uncle Al Overweight?
C'mon Now, We're Only Utility Maximizing
Now, Let's Tear This Argument Apart (and Put It Back Together)
So Should Dad (and the Government) Care that Uncle Al Is Obese?
Just Follow the Money
Chapter 7. The Role of Government
Market Failures
Externalities
Market Power
Public Goods
Obesity and National Defense
Imperfect (Asymmetric) Information
Is There a Role for Government?
Chapter 8. Weighing the Public Policy Issues (for Adults)
Equity
Irrationality
Compelling Public Need
Revisiting Past Policy
The Road Ahead
Summing Up
Chapter 9. Weighing the Public Policy Issues (for Kids)
First, a Step Back
Child Abuse?
School-Based Regulations
Your Mouth Will Really Groove
In Closing
Chapter 10. The Employer's Dilemma
Why Don't Businesses Invest More in the Health of Their Workforce?
The Dirty Secret about Employee Wellness Programs
So What's an Employer to Do?
Could These Programs Get Me in Legal Hot Water?
Chapter 11. The ObesEconomy
Just How Big Is the Weight-Loss Industry?
Just Take a Pill
Bigger and Better
Invest in New Technology
In the Name of Progress
Chapter 12. How to Lose Weight Like an Economist
Economic Weight-Loss Techniques
A Few More Secrets to Success
Conclusion
Notes
About the Authors
Index
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Contributors
ISBN
9780470124666
9780470245774
9780470245774
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