Supermarket offerings promote obesity , at least in the United States. This is the conclusion reached by scientists at the University of Washington after exhaustively analyzing the data collected by the Seattle Obesity Study. Dividing supermarkets into three groups according to the average price of a hundred food products, the researchers found that the establishment where we shop daily (or weekly) drastically influences obesity rates . In an article published in the American Journal of Publich Health , the study authors reveal that excess weight affects 9% of those who shop at high-priced supermarkets compared to 27% of obese (one in four ) among the customers of the stores with constant offers .
To combat the obesity epidemic, the researchers conclude, the pricing and discount strategy should make healthy food cheaper than food containing excess fat and sugar, contrary to what is happening now.
