Statistical and biological methods are available to probe why the prevalence of obesity has risen more in some countries than in others, says John Frank.
What started the obesity pandemic? We remain unsure. And although we do not need to know the answer to tackle the symptoms, a clearer picture might produce better strategies. Analytical methods for sorting out the epidemiological evidence on this question now lie within our reach. Economists have used these methods for many years to look at the impact of large natural experiments such as changes in policy. And in the past five years or so, epidemiologists have realised that they can be applied to health outcomes. Read more..
