The food industry and its impact upon increasing global obesity: a case study

Abstract

This case study looks at the current crisis which is set to engulf both the developed and developing world: obesity. Using a variety of reliable sources (e.g. the World Health Organisation) the author plots the seemingly unstoppable global increase in obesity over the last two decades. The problems associated with childhood, adolescent and adult obesity are noted, as are the costs, economic and personal. The various possible causes of world‐wide obesity are considered, such as genetics, modern lifestyles and particularly food. The author points a finger at the food industry, and particularly the “fast‐food” industry, which over the last few decades has perfected various marketing techniques which are designed to make us eat more food (“supersizing”), more often. The leaders of this industry are also accused of putting its balance sheet before the health and welfare of young people by targeting children and schools.

Citation

Lowell, J. (2004), "The food industry and its impact upon increasing global obesity: a case study", British Food Journal, Vol. 106 No. 3, pp. 238-248. https://doi.org/10.1108/00070700410528817