Introduction : answering the age-old question : why is Uncle Al so fat? -- 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 -- 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? -- 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 -- 4. So where else can we lay the blame? -- Blame mom and dad -- Then 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 dirty business) -- Blame that nasty "fat bug" -- It's the economy, stupid -- 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 -- 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 -- 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? -- 8. Weighing the public policy issues (for adults) -- Equity -- Irrationality -- Compelling public need -- Revisiting past policy -- The road ahead -- Summing up -- 9. Weighing the public policy issues (for kids) -- First, a step back -- Child abuse? -- School-based regulations -- Your mouth will really groove -- In closing -- 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? -- 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 -- 12. How to lose weight like an economist -- Economic weight-loss techniques -- A few more secrets to success -- Conclusion.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.