Why Is the Developed World Obese?

Abstract

Obesity has risen dramatically in the past few decades. However, the relative contribution of energy intake and energy expenditure to rising obesity is not known. Moreover, the extent to which social and economic factors tip the energy balance is not well understood. This exploratory study estimates the relative contribution of increased caloric intake and reduced physical activity to obesity in developed countries using two methods of energy accounting. Results show that rising obesity is primarily the result of consuming more calories. We estimate multivariate regression models and use simulation analysis to explore technological and sociodemographic determinants of this dietary excess. Results indicate that the increase in caloric intake is associated with technological innovations as well as changing sociodemographic factors. This review offers useful insights to future research concerned with the etiology of obesity and suggests that obesity-related policies should focus on encouraging lower caloric intake. 273*This PDF amended on (4 Dec. 2008): See explanation at

The growing Canadian energy gap: more the can than the couch?

“…Results are also consistent with Bleich and colleagues, who have modelled the fraction of obesity due to energy in and energy out for a number of developed countries (10) . They concluded that physical activity in Canada did not change appreciably from 1990 to 2001, and 100 % of the attributable fraction of obesity was due to energy in rather than energy out.…”

Peer effects, fast food consumption and adolescent weight gain

“…In fact, this influence can be clearly seen as children are more likely to pick up items that are in "Mac Donald's" packaging (Robinson et al, 2007). More generally, Cutler et al (2003) and Bleich et al (2008) argue that the increased calorie intake (i.e., eating habits) plays a major role in explaining current obesity rates. Importantly, weight gain prior to adulthood set the stage for weight gain in adulthood.…”

Heterogeneity in barriers regarding the motivation, the opportunity and the ability to choose low-calorie snack foods and beverages: associations with real-life choices

“…Similar trends have been detected in Europe (4,5) . Since energy expenditure decreased only slightly over the same period (2) , the obesity problem is best described as an issue of systematic caloric overconsumption (6) , with snacking as an increasingly important contributor.Literature on the relationship between weight status and snacking behaviour is inconclusive (7) . This can partly be explained by the fact that weight status is not only influenced by snacking but also by factors such as meal consumption and physical activity.…”

“…The origin of overweight and obesity lies primarily in an imbalance between the intake and the expenditure of energy (2) . During the last decades there has been an increase in daily eating occasions (3) and therewith daily energy intake has also increased.…”