Free Markets Make People Fat Says Oxford Study

The latest research from Oxford University suggests that people who live in countries that have free market capitalism are more likely to become obese. The research suggests this economic obesity is due to the stress people experience when they are economically insecure. The study indicated that the stresses and challenges of living in a competitive economic system with no welfare safety net might be causing folks to overeat and gain weight.

Study Compared Several Large, Affluent Countries

The scientists at Oxford looked at data from 11 different countries that were considered to be affluent. These countries that had incentives in place that would encourage and support business and financial markets but also considered to have a weak welfare system in place. On average, these affluent countries experienced about one-third more obesity than countries with a strong welfare system.

The data is based on surveys carried out over a period of 10 years between 1994 and 2004. Researchers looked at data from countries considered to have a "market-liberal" approach to economics and from countries that offer a strong welfare system in place. The United States had the highest prevalence of obesity. Norway, by contrast, had the lowest obesity rates at around five percent.

Don't Blame Fast Food Anymore for Obesity Rates

Over the years, researchers and scientists have told us that the prevalence and availability of cheap, fast food has been the leading cause of obesity in advanced nations. This study seems to indicate that fast food may only be partially to blame. The cause and effect theory of high-energy, pre-processed foods available in fast food restaurants and supermarkets is known as "fast food shock."

Researchers found that this easy accessibility of fast food may not be to blame after all, at least not completely to blame. They have found that fast food only has about half the effect on obesity prevalence as previously thought. The data now seems to indicate that the anxiety and stress associated with not knowing where your next meal will come form, or if you can make the rent payment has a much stronger effect on obesity rates.

The Minds Behind the Research

The study, Obesity under affluence varies by welfare regimes: The effect of fast food, insecurity, and inequality was conducted by the team of Professor Avner Offer, Chichele Professor of Economic History at the University of Oxford, Rachel Pechey, and Stanley Ulijaszek. Professor Offer states, "Policies to reduce levels of obesity tend to focus on encouraging people to look after themselves but this study suggest that obesity has larger social causes."

This latest research for Oxford does indicate that affluent societies and free market systems tend to stress people out making them overeat and gain weight. The study also indicated that economic insecurity and the fear of not being taken care of by a social welfare system is one of the greatest factors causing the prevalence of obesity in society.

Sources:

Study Suggests Economic Insecurity Boosts Obesity

Economic Insecurity Increases Obesity Rates