Economic growth and obesity: An interesting relationship with world-wide implications

• Published in: Economics and human biology 2012-03, Vol.10 (2), p.147-153
• Main Authors: Egger, Garry, Swinburn, Boyd, Amirul Islam, F.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Body Mass Index; Carbon Footprint - statistics & numerical data; Economic growth; Global Health; Gross Domestic Product - statistics & numerical data; Happiness; Humans; Obesity; Obesity - epidemiology; Social Class; Socioeconomic Factors; Sustainability
• ISSN: 1570-677X; 1873-6130
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ehb.2012.01.002

► Per capita GDP is non-linearly related to population level body weight. ► An ideal GDP would optimise body weight, happiness and carbon emissions. ► Wealthy, market-liberal countries, with big income inequalities are more overweight. ► Wealthy Asian countries have ideal weight and happiness but high emissions. The prosperity of a country, commonly measured in terms of its annual per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP), has different relationships with population levels of body weight and happiness, as well as environmental impacts such as carbon emissions. The aim of this study was to examine these relationships and to try to find a level of GDP, which provides for sustainable economic activity, optimal happiness and healthy levels of mean body mass index (BMI). Spline regression analyses were conducted using national indices from 175 countries: GDP, adult BMI, mean happiness scores, and carbon footprint per capita for the year 2007. Results showed that GDP was positively related to BMI and happiness up to ∼$US3000 and ∼$5000 per capita respectively, with no significant relationships beyond these levels. GDP was also positively related to CO2 emissions with a recognised sustainable carbon footprint of less than 5tonnes per capita occurring at a GDP of $US30,000), those with lower income inequalities and more regulated (less liberal) market systems had lower mean BMIs.