|
AgEcon Search >
University of Minnesota >
Center for International Food and Agricultural Policy >
Conference Papers >
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://purl.umn.edu/6684
|
| Title: | Food and Health: A European Perspective |
| Authors: | Venturini, Luciano |
| Authors (Email): | Venturini, Luciano (luciano.venturini@unicatt.it) |
| Issue Date: | 2006-08 |
| Series/Report no.: | Proceedings of the 10th Joint Conference on Agriculture, Food, and the Environment, August 27-30, 2006, Duluth, Minnesota |
| Abstract: | This paper addresses four issues which arise from increasing concerns about overweight and obesity in European
countries. First, we explore the main stylized facts of the phenomenon. We show that although Europeans are not obese
like Americans, there is robust evidence that adult and childhood obesity rates tend to increase substantially in many
European countries. The second part of the paper surveys the recent theoretical literature on the economics of obesity.
In particular, we focus on the debate about the merits and limits of public policies in this area. This paper presents an
alternative perspective from that suggested by the rational-choice approach according to which government intervention
is not necessary. We emphasize the potential positive role of well-designed public policies by emphasizing that in a
world with less than perfect information, externalities, self-control problems, endogenous preferences and social
inequalities, the equivalence between individual choice and individual as well as social welfare is weakened. We
suggest that the right framework for thinking about public policy in this area is a multi-factor and multi-stakeholder
approach. This approach casts some doubt on the notion of a strict link between determinants of weight gain and the
choice of policy tools to tackle the phenomenon. We argue that just the multi-factor nature of the obesity phenomenon
allows to identify several instruments and policy tools. Several non-food policies targeted to different purposes such as
environmental issues, social cohesion, and urban planning can also have useful consequences in mitigating weight gain.
Thirdly, we explore the determinants of European obesity patterns. In particular, we examine the relevance for Europe
of the food consumption hypothesis recently developed by Cutler, Glaeser and Shapiro according to which
technological change easing access to food plays a key role as a determinant of weight gain. It is argued that this
hypothesis can provide a plausible explanation for overweight and obesity patterns in Europe, although we also find that
in some countries there is evidence of weight gains in the absence of significant increases in food calorie intake. Finally,
the paper proceeds to examine current policies in Europe at both national and European Union level and the
implications of the findings for addressing more effective policies. |
| URI: | http://purl.umn.edu/6684 |
| Institution/Association: | University of Minnesota>Center for International Food and Agricultural Policy>Conference Papers |
| Total Pages: | 25 |
| Collections: | Conference Papers
|
Files in This Item:
| File |
Description |
Size | Format |
|---|
| cp06ve01.pdf | | 247Kb | PDF | View/Open |
|
Recommend this item
All items in AgEcon Search are protected by copyright.
|
