What explains increasing obesity? Theory 2:The food industry One popular theory for explaining obesity levels is that fast food restaurants and agricultural corporations push unhealthy,fattening foods and large serving sizes on an unwary populace. There is evidence that living close to fast food restaurants increases bodyweight,especially among children. But even if the popularity of fast food restaurants has contributed to rising obesity since World War ll, bodyweight has been increasing since at least the mid 19th- century. Bhattacharya,Hyde and Tu-HealthEconomicsBhattacharya, Hyde and Tu – Health Economics What explains increasing obesity? • Theory 2: The food industry • One popular theory for explaining obesity levels is that fast food restaurants and agricultural corporations push unhealthy, fattening foods and large serving sizes on an unwary populace. • There is evidence that living close to fast food restaurants increases bodyweight, especially among children. • But even if the popularity of fast food restaurants has contributed to rising obesity since World War II, bodyweight has been increasing since at least the mid 19th￾century