The purpose of this paper is to explain the main social and economic facts concerning obesity in a way that substantially improves upon existing economic theory. In contrast to existing theory, a number of recent health science writers have explained persuasively that weight gain or loss is not...

The purpose of this paper is to explain the main social and economic facts concerning obesity in a way that substantially improves upon existing economic theory. In contrast to existing theory, a number of recent health science writers have explained persuasively that weight gain or loss is not...

When mentioning the sources of an economy's productivity, economists' list typically includes tangible capital and human capital, at least standard human capital, the kind largely associated with education and training. But economists do not usually mention the more intangible forms of human...