The Co-Villains Behind Obesity's Rise

A large debate taking place in America is the answer to why Obesity rates have soared over the years. Sendhill Mullainathan wrote an article titled "The Co-Villains Behind Obesity’s Rise", published in the New York Times, that discusses the multiple causes of Obesity in America.

The first cause that is addressed is the behavioral economics in the United States. Our decisions on what foods to buy at the grocery store, as well as out to dinner, play a big role in obesity's rise. Suppliers strategically choose what to provide for the consumers based off of what is most demanded at the time. Behavioral economics play a big role in obesity, but perhaps not the major role.

The article focuses primarily on the biology villain and his role in rising obesity rates. Mullainathan draws attention to the importance of both the economic side, as well as the biological side of obesity.

Focusing in on biology, animals have been able to help prove the importance of biology when dealing with obesity. Why is it that animal obesity rates have increased with human obesity rates? This couldn't only be because of behavior economics could it? Well, an experiment held with twin mice helps to prove the biological role in obesity.

Between the twin mice, one was obese and one was not. This raised curiosity because they were being fed the same diet. This immediately excludes the idea that behavior economics is the only factor that leads toward obesity. The obese twin was discovered to have a type of "gut bacteria" that lead to obesity.

This "obese gut bacteria" is thought to possibly come from toxins, processed foods, or even antibiotics. Another thought is that perhaps the bacteria can be spread such as the flu. Scientists are still researching into this idea of how obesity is growing, and it could be a relief that it is not purely based on behavioral economics, am I right? Hopefully, once we further understand this "obese gut bacteria" we will be able to understand more about cravings and possibly be able to shift those cravings and put a halt in the rising rate of obesity throughout America.