Governmental Subsidizing of Energy Dense Foods

Subsidies are payments from the government to food producers intended to keep the price of various foods constant. In 2005, the U.S. government spent $23 billion on farm subsidies. Most of this money was spent on three grains: wheat, soybeans, and corn. Because the government is supporting the price of these goods, it tends to keep them (and products made from them) inexpensive. Many of the foods made from these products have been linked to obesity. A large supply of inexpensive obesity-promoting foods could contribute to the current obesity epidemic.

Subsidy programs were originally designed to protect farmers and ensure a steady food supply to the [Page 342]U.S. population. These policies also tend to decrease the price of wheat, corn, and soy, leading to decreased prices of corn syrup, hydrogenated fats, and meats produced from corn-fed animals. Corn syrup is used for soft drinks and other sweetened foods that have been linked to obesity. The meats produced from corn-fed animals (such as red meat) have also been linked to chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

The controversial question is whether the less expensive price of these materials has actually changed consumption, and thus supports the current obesity epidemic. If food prices affect consumption, they are most likely to have a maximal effect on low-income populations. Research supports the theory that limited economic resources may shift dietary choices toward an energy-dense, highly palatable diet that provides maximum calories per the least volume and the least cost. One study demonstrated that lower prices for vegetables and fruits were found to predict a significantly lower gain in BMI between kindergarten and third grade. Lower meat prices had the opposite effect, although this effect was generally smaller in magnitude and was also insignificant for body mass index gain over three years. If the subsidy programs for the above commodities were removed, there would likely be a small change in the price of energy-dense meat and foods with added sugar, resulting in a small change consumption of these foods. Because small changes multiply rapidly in public health, this small change would likely have an effect on the health of Americans.

This is evident in Poland where government policies have rapidly affected the public health status of the country. The elimination of subsidies for animal fats and the alteration of other agricultural programs in Poland increased consumption of unsaturated fats and made fruits and vegetables more widely available, resulting in a decrease in cardiovascular disease in 12 years. The summary of evidence on subsidies points to a conclusion that removing subsidies of energy-dense foods will have to be combined with programs to decrease fruit and vegetable prices in order to have an effect on public health.