Exploring Price-Independent Mechanisms in the Obesity Epidemic

Center on Social and Economic Dynamics Working Paper No. 48

36 Pages Posted: 25 Oct 2007

See all articles by Ross A. Hammond

Ross A. Hammond

Brookings Institution - Center on Social and Economic Dynamics

Joshua M. Epstein

Brookings Institution - Center on Social and Economic Dynamics

Date Written: August 2007

Abstract

Obesity is a rapidly growing epidemic in the United States and a major public health challenge worldwide. To counteract this epidemic effectively, better understanding of its mechanisms are needed - we must understand not just what factors play a role, but how and why they matter. Most studies to date have focused on prices, technology, and the general availability of food. Less attention has been paid to the roles of social influence and the physiology of energy balance - despite growing evidence that both play important roles. In this paper, we present some initial findings from our analysis of two non-price mechanisms for obesity: the physiology of dieting, and socially influenced weight changes.

Suggested Citation

Hammond, Ross A. and Epstein, Joshua M., Exploring Price-Independent Mechanisms in the Obesity Epidemic (August 2007). Center on Social and Economic Dynamics Working Paper No. 48, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1024287 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1024287

Ross A. Hammond (Contact Author)

Brookings Institution - Center on Social and Economic Dynamics ( email )

1775 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036
United States

Joshua M. Epstein

Brookings Institution - Center on Social and Economic Dynamics ( email )

1775 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20036
United States

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