The Organisation of Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) has undertaken a report with 34 Nations and found there was a link with the last financial crisis and an increase in obesity.
The OECD report states that more people around the World put on weight since the last financial crisis started in 2007 than in the years leading up to it.
According to the report the reason for the increase in obesity was due to many families spending less money on food and buying cheaper food that has more fat and higher calories. This increase intake of cheaper food made people gain weight. Further evidence from the report also suggests many families during the period stopped buying fresh fruit and vegetables.
The OECD has now called on governments to take action to reduce obesity by helping people loose weight. The report stated, “The global financial downturn has increased obesity and governments need to implement policies to halt the trend.”
Europa Trust Company Ltd reported in a previous newsletter on one such incentive with the United Arab Emirates government giving individuals gold for loosing weight. Some states in America have begun offering financial incentives for losing weight. While Mexico has developed a nationwide good eating education program and increased taxes on some foods to discourage families from buying them.
