Food policies and obesity in low- and middle-income countries

Understanding the public health implications of food policies is crucial to combat recently increasing overweight and obesity rates in many low-and-middle income countries (LMICs). This study examines implication policies, mainly tariff on “unhealthy” foods (sugar confectionery products as well fats oils) governments’ subsidies, individuals’ body weight outcomes. We compile several macro- micro-level datasets that provide macro-level information anthropometric data for LMICs. exploit temporal dynamics spending subsidies estimate fixed effects models characterizing evolution find unhealthy energy-dense are significantly negatively associated with weight. Conditional observable time-invariant unobservable factors, a decrease sugar confectionary or oils an increase rates. On other hand, subsidy rate, share government expenditure, higher Interestingly, we these more pronounced among poorer individuals. may be explained by fact households usually spend larger their consumption foods; individuals often beneficiaries These findings have important informing LMICs, which experiencing unprecedented rise