What explains increasing obesity? Theory 5:Labor force participation In the Western world,the increase in labor force participation by women,and the simultaneous decline in the average time spent preparing meals at home,has contributed to rising body weight. This same force has contributed to the rising share of food dollars spent on restaurant food,which is often more calorically dense and fattening than food prepared at home. Technological changes that make housework less onerous, such as the invention and dissemination of dishwashers and microwaves,have also decreased the relative price of labor force participation. Bhattacharya,Hyde and Tu-HealthEconomics Bhattacharya, Hyde and Tu – Health Economics What explains increasing obesity? • Theory 5: Labor force participation • In the Western world, the increase in labor force participation by women, and the simultaneous decline in the average time spent preparing meals at home, has contributed to rising body weight. • This same force has contributed to the rising share of food dollars spent on restaurant food, which is often more calorically dense and fattening than food prepared at home. • Technological changes that make housework less onerous, such as the invention and dissemination of dishwashers and microwaves, have also decreased the relative price of labor force participation