The Economics of Weight Loss

Authors

Shivani Pandey, Lady Shri Ram College for Women, University of DelhiFollow

Abstract

Obesity is now being considered one of the biggest health concerns globally. Ironically, while India records the largest no. of underweight population in the world along with China, it has also been placed in the top five countries in terms of obesity as per a new study by the Lancet Journal. Obesity entails various direct and indirect costs in terms of lower productivity and higher medical expenditure and has the potential to lower economic growth. This paper analyses the need for strengthening government regulations in the weight loss industry. After analyzing the causes of obesity and its negative effects on both health and the economy at large and reviewing the loopholes of the existing regulations in India, certain policy recommendations have been provided.

Recommended Citation

Pandey, Shivani (2018) "The Economics of Weight Loss," Undergraduate Economic Review: Vol. 15: Iss. 1, Article 21.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/uer/vol15/iss1/21